Breaking Up with Passwords
For years, we’ve been stuck in a toxic relationship—with passwords. We create, forget, reset, and almost always reuse them (even though we know we shouldn’t). But what if the hassle of remembering yet another string of login characters disappeared? Passkeys have entered the chat.
What are Passkeys?
Passkeys are a secure alternative to traditional passwords. They use cryptographic key pairs, one private and one public, to verify your identity. Instead of relying on a password that can be stolen, guessed, or phished, passkeys are uniquely generated to be associated with the account you’re trying to access on an app or website.
While not every service supports passkeys yet, many are moving in that direction. If you use Apple, Google, or Microsoft accounts, you might already have the option to enable passkeys for certain logins.
How do Passkeys work?
When you sign up for an account or log into a website using passkeys, here’s what happens behind the scenes:
Instead of creating a password, your device generates a pair of cryptographic keys—one public and one private. The public key is stored with the service you’re logging into, while the private key stays securely on your device. When you attempt to log in, the website sends a challenge that can only be solved by your private key. Your device verifies your identity using Face ID, a fingerprint, or a PIN and sends a secure response, granting access.
Why Are Passkeys Better Than Passwords?
- Eliminates Password Fatigue
We’ve all been there—trying to remember if the password we used was “P@ssword123” or “P@ssword124.” With passkeys, you don’t need to memorize or reset passwords. - Phishing & Data Breach Protection
Since passkeys don’t require you to manually enter credentials, they’re immune to phishing attacks. Hackers can’t steal a password that doesn’t exist. - Easier Multi-Device Access
Passkeys sync across your devices via cloud-based solutions like Google Password Manager, allowing you to access accounts seamlessly. - Faster & More Convenient Logins
Logging in is as simple as unlocking your phone or computer—no need to type anything, answer security questions, or deal with multi-factor authentication codes.
Making the Switch: How to Get Started
If you’re ready to break up with passwords, here’s how you can start using passkeys:
Enable passkeys on supported services – Check if your favorite platforms offer passkey support. Use a passkey manager – Apple, Google, and password managers like 1Password support passkeys and can help sync them across devices. Try logging in with passkeys – When given the option, choose “Sign in with a passkey” instead of entering a password. Your private key will only respond to the website it was generated for, so you cannot be tricked into logging into a fake website.