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In a significant shift towards enhanced security and convenience, the concept of passkeys is gaining traction. These digital keys are poised to revolutionise the way we log into our online accounts.
Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are stored by the respective service providers. This means that you no longer have to remember a plethora of complex passwords. Instead, your passkey is securely kept by the service, ready for use whenever you need to log in.
One of the key advantages of passkeys is their versatility. They can be stored on a variety of platforms, including mobile operating systems like Android, iOS/MacOS, and Windows. Additionally, they can be stored on a security USB stick, following the FIDO2 standard.
This versatility extends to password manager apps as well. For instance, Google, with its Google Password Manager app on Android, and Passwork, which plans to support passkeys from early 2026, are among the companies offering password manager solutions for passkey-based logins. Notably, large providers like Amazon, Nintendo, CVS Health, and Intuit have already embraced this technology.
The security of passkeys is underpinned by cryptographic key pairs. When you request to log in, your device generates a unique cryptographic key that is matched with the counterpart of the private key stored with the service. This match verifies your identity, enabling passwordless login.
For added security, approval for a passkey request is typically made via fingerprint or similar biometric methods. This ensures that only you, the rightful owner of the device, can access your passkey and log into your accounts.
In conclusion, passkeys represent a promising step forward in digital security. By offering a universal and independent solution, they promise to make our online lives more secure and convenient. As more companies adopt this technology, we can look forward to a future where the hassle of remembering passwords becomes a thing of the past.
