Passwords are a hassle. If they are easy to remember, they are susceptible to being guessed.
Conversely, complex passwords are often difficult to recall. To address this issue, I have reduced my reliance on passwords for account sign-ins, and as a result, I have actually strengthened my online security and streamlined my login process.
So how do I do it? The solution is simple, cost-free, and can be executed on your smartphone or PC.
When logging in, you select the passkey option and then authenticate the login request using your thumbprint, face scan, or PIN. It’s incredibly fast.
This authentication method is also highly secure. Passkeys tackle several vulnerabilities associated with traditional passwords.
First, they cannot be easily guessed. Passkeys utilize an encryption mechanism that employs two different types of keys in the verification process: a private key and a public key.
A breach on a website will not expose your passkey. Next, copies of passkeys won’t work.
They are tied to the specific device—be it a smartphone, PC, or security hardware key—that created them. If a private key is stolen, it remains invalid on another device.
Additionally, passkeys are locked to the website for which they were generated, ensuring that phony sites cannot use them. This offers better protection against sophisticated phishing attempts.
The growing acceptance of passkeys is another benefit. Major companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon are on board, and even more sites, including Target.com and WhatsApp, are beginning to support this technology.
For those who still prefer passwords, it’s possible to maintain multiple sign-in methods. Combining a password with two-factor authentication (2FA) serves as a backup if you lose the device or security key associated with your passkeys.
Ultimately, making the switch to passkeys is wise, especially for those tired of the burdensome nature of passwords. With passkeys, there’s nothing to remember, no software to manage, and they come at no cost.