Passwords are a necessary evil in the world of technology. We use them to protect our accounts and sensitive information, but they often cause frustration. If a password is too difficult, it becomes impossible to remember. On the other hand, if it’s too easy, our accounts become vulnerable to hackers. Thankfully, there are solutions to this problem, such as password managers and browser options that remember logins. However, these solutions aren’t perfect either. Password managers can get hacked, and saved browser options can be accessed by anyone with the know-how. This has led tech companies to explore a future without passwords.
One solution that has gained traction is the use of passkeys, which are credentials that serve as an alternative to usernames and passwords. Passkeys are personalized FIDO credentials, such as fingerprints or face scans, that are securely stored on your device. They eliminate the need to remember and type in passwords, making logins faster and easier. Additionally, passkeys are much more secure than passwords. Unlike passwords, which can be cracked or guessed, passkeys are near-impenetrable. Since they are stored locally on your device, they cannot be hacked or accessed by anyone else.
Big tech companies, such as Google, have embraced passkeys and made them the standard way to protect accounts. Google launched its passkey feature after successful beta testing. To set up passkeys with your Google account, you can visit g.co/passkeys and follow the on-screen prompts. Passkeys are automatically created for Google devices, but you will need to set them up individually on other devices you use to access your account.
Passkeys are not limited to Google devices alone. If you have an iPhone, you can use passkeys through the iCloud Keychain. Make sure you have the iCloud Keychain turned on and two-factor authentication enabled to use passkeys. The steps to save a passkey may vary depending on the website, browser, or app, but it usually involves signing in with your account name and password, then selecting the option to save the passkey when prompted.
Using passkeys not only makes your logins more secure but also eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords. You can sign in to your accounts using passkeys stored on your device. With Apple’s iCloud Keychain, you can even sign in to accounts on other devices using the passkey saved to your iPhone.
As tech companies work towards a future sans passwords, passkeys offer a promising alternative. They provide enhanced security and convenience, making them a valuable solution for users tired of the frustrations associated with passwords. So, if you’re looking for a safer and easier way to protect your accounts, it might be time to give passkeys a try.