Passkeys Versus Passwords

Have you logged in to an online account recently and been prompted to create a “passkey”? This option is relatively new, and roll-out really only began a few years ago after being developed by a consortium of major tech companies. A passkey, not to be confused with a password or a passcode, relies on something called public key cryptography. During the initial setup process, the website or app you are accessing authenticates with the phone or computer you are using and creates a pair of digital keys. On future login attempts, you are only prompted for your device’s credentials – usually a fingerprint, face scan, or PIN. This makes signing in much easier and it’s even safer, as the passkey is only on that device or other devices you sync to. I have begun to use passkeys myself on several important accounts and have really enjoyed just using my face to authenticate. The technology is still maturing but appears to be a big leap forward in our universal dream of a password-less digital world.