Google has recently announced that it will be introducing passkeys as an alternative method for Google Account holders to access their accounts without the need for a password. This marks a significant shift in the way that users will access their Google accounts, moving away from the traditional use of passwords and towards more advanced cryptographic keys that are stored on the user’s device.
Passkeys are a type of cryptographic key that is stored on the user’s device and is used to authenticate their identity when accessing their account. Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are stored with zero-knowledge, meaning that even the user themselves does not know what they are.
This makes passkeys more secure than passwords, as they are more resistant to phishing attempts and other types of cyber attacks.
Google’s passkeys are part of the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) alliance, which sets the technological standards for passkeys. Members of the alliance include all the major tech players, such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Meta.
This means that passkeys are a well-established and widely recognized form of authentication, which is likely to make them more widely adopted in the future.
One of the main advantages of passkeys is that they are more convenient for users, as there is no need to remember a password. Instead, the user simply authenticates with their device’s PIN or stored biometric data, such as their fingerprint or face.
This also means that traditional two-factor authentication (2FA) methods are no longer necessary, as the passkey provides a secure and convenient alternative.
Another advantage of passkeys is that the biometric data used to authenticate the user is not shared with Google or any other third parties. This means that users can be sure that their personal information is kept private and secure.
Google’s passkeys are compatible with iOS 16 and Android 9 devices, and they can be shared across devices using Apple’s iCloud or compatible password managers.
Google now lets you log in without a password