{"id":67446,"date":"2023-06-22T21:01:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T13:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=67446"},"modified":"2023-08-07T20:22:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T12:22:02","slug":"how-passkeys-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/how-passkeys-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Passkey and How Does it Work? (With Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Passkeys are an excellent tool that enhance the security of our online experiences. They allow us to access our web accounts securely and effortlessly, without compromising on protection or usability.<\/p>\n

The beauty of passkeys lies in the fact that you don\u2019t have to remember them like traditional passwords. This eliminates one of the major challenges we encounter with passwords. Moreover, every passkey is inherently strong, eliminating the risk of \u2018weak\u2019 passkeys, making them even more attractive.<\/p>\n

\"passkey\"<\/figure>\n

Passkeys also excel in their resilience. Even during a data leak, they remain secure. While regular passwords could be stolen during a hacking incident, passkeys maintain their security, offering an extra layer of protection for your online identity.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll delve into the realm of passkeys. We will clarify what they are and discuss the technology powering them. We\u2019ll further illustrate why it\u2019s beneficial to use passkeys and guide you on how to use them to access an account that accepts this modern authentication method.<\/p>\n

The Problems with Passwords<\/h2>\n

The first issue with passwords is that creating a strong and secure one<\/a> can be tricky. This often involves a combination of numbers, symbols, and letters in both upper and lower case. The more complicated the password, the better it is.<\/p>\n

\"simple<\/figure>\n

Another common problem is forgetting your password. Have you ever had to spend several minutes, or even hours, resetting your password because you clicked on the \u201cforgot password\u201d link? This can consume a lot of your time.<\/p>\n

Managing multiple passwords without a password manager<\/a> can also be quite challenging. It\u2019s similar to trying to keep many balls in the air at the same time \u2013 one mistake and things can go wrong.<\/p>\n

Lastly, using the same password for different accounts is risky. It\u2019s like using one key for your house, car, office, and safe. If someone gets that key, they can access everything. Likewise, if one of your accounts gets hacked, there\u2019s a chance all your accounts could be at risk.<\/p>\n

What is a Passkey and How Does It Work?<\/h2>\n

Passkeys uses two interlocking parts to authenticate a user\u2019s identity. The first piece, called a Private Key<\/em>, is saved on a gadget you trust, like your smartphone. You keep this piece secure by using something only you know or have, like a PIN code, fingerprint, or even your face! The second piece, known as the Public Key<\/em>, is saved where you want to log in, such as an app or website where you\u2019ve set up an account.<\/p>\n

\"private<\/figure>\n

For you to log in, or get access to your account, both these pieces have to come together. It\u2019s a bit like a puzzle \u2013 you need both parts to complete the picture. This system is smart because you can\u2019t guess one piece just by having the other, which keeps your information safe.<\/p>\n

When you want to log in, your device double-checks it\u2019s you. It could do this by looking at your face or reading your fingerprint. After it\u2019s sure it\u2019s you, your device puts the two pieces of your passkey together to make something called an \u2018authentication token\u2019. This token is like your ticket in \u2013 it lets you access the app or website you want to use.<\/p>\n

\"passkey<\/figure>\n

This means that without your trusted gadget and a way to prove it\u2019s you (like your face, fingerprint, or PIN code), nobody else can get into your accounts that are guarded by this passkey system. It\u2019s a really strong way to keep all your digital stuff safe and secure!<\/p>\n

The Benefits of Using Passkeys<\/h2>\n

To begin with, making passkeys is a simple and fast process. Instead of taking a long time to create a complicated password, you can quickly create a passkey. This ease of use improves your overall experience.<\/p>\n

A major advantage of passkeys is that you don\u2019t need to remember them. You know how annoying it is when you forget the exact password you\u2019ve used? That\u2019s not an issue with passkeys.<\/p>\n

Next, passkeys are inherently secure. They are designed to be strong from the start, so you don\u2019t have to stress about making them safe \u2013 they\u2019re already that way.<\/p>\n

Lastly, passkeys are resistant to phishing and other types of social engineering attacks. This gives them an added layer of defense against online threats, which is always beneficial.<\/p>\n

Comparing Login Methods: Password vs. Passkey<\/h2>\n

To make the idea of logging in with a passkey simpler, let\u2019s first look at the usual way we sign in to accounts \u2013 that is, by using a username and a password. We\u2019ll use zoho.com<\/a> as our example for this comparison.<\/p>\n

Using a Username and Password:<\/h3>\n

First, to sign in, enter your username and password.<\/p>\n

\"sign<\/figure>\n

Next, confirm your identity by entering a one-time password.<\/p>\n

\"confirm<\/figure>\n

Sometimes, you may also need to select the \u201cTrust\u201d option for the browser you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n

\"trust<\/figure>\n

Finally, after these steps, you\u2019ll be successfully logged into your account.<\/p>\n

With a Passkey:<\/h3>\n

Now, if you\u2019ve already established your passkey for zoho.com, here\u2019s how you would log into your account:<\/p>\n

Navigate to the sign-in page and input your username or email address, then click on \u201cNext\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"insert<\/figure>\n

A prompt will appear asking if you\u2019d like to sign in using your passkey. Click on \u201cContinue\u201d to move forward.<\/p>\n

\"sign<\/figure>\n

Next, a biometric verification process will take place.<\/p>\n

\"biometric<\/figure>\n

Once completed, you\u2019re successfully logged in!<\/p>\n

Concluding Thoughts<\/h2>\n

Passkeys are undoubtedly a simpler and safer method for logging into your online accounts. They eliminate the need to create and remember intricate passwords. However, as of the time this article was written, not all websites have implemented passkey support.<\/p>\n

If you have a Google account, you can use a passkey. Refer to this post for instructions on integrating a passkey with your Google account<\/a>, or visit this website<\/a> to see a list of all the sites currently supporting passkeys.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn how passkeys enhance online security and simplify access to web accounts without compromising protection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3398],"tags":[4655,4605,554],"topic":[],"class_list":["entry-content","is-maxi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is a Passkey and How Does it Work? 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