In today’s world, passwords are ubiquitous. They’re required for everything from logging into our email accounts to accessing our online bank accounts. However, passwords can be difficult to remember, and if they end up in the wrong hands, they can put us at risk. For this reason, many in the industry have been working on a simpler and safer alternative to passwords. Enter passkeys.
What are Passkeys?
Passkeys are a new way to sign in to apps and websites. Unlike passwords, which rely on a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, passkeys let users sign in the same way they unlock their devices: with a fingerprint, a face scan, or a screen lock PIN. This makes passkeys easier to use and remember, while also being resistant to online attacks like phishing.
How Passkeys Improve Security
One of the biggest issues with passwords is that they can be guessed or stolen, leaving users vulnerable to identity theft and other types of fraud. However, because passkeys are tied to a user’s device, they are much more difficult to steal. For example, if a hacker were to steal a user’s password, they could use that password to access the user’s account from any device. But if a hacker were to steal a user’s passkey, they would need physical access to the user’s device in order to use it. This makes passkeys a much more secure option than traditional passwords.
Passkeys for Google Accounts
Google is one of the companies leading the charge when it comes to passkeys. Last year, Google announced that it would begin work to support passkeys on its platform as an easier and more secure alternative to passwords. And today, Google has begun rolling out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms.
How to Use Passkeys for Google Accounts
Setting up passkeys for a Google Account is easy. Simply visit g.co/passkeys and follow the prompts to get started. Once set up, users will be able to sign in to their Google Account using their passkey instead of a password.
Passkeys for Google Workspace
Google Workspace users will soon be able to take advantage of passkeys as well. Administrators will have the option to enable passkeys for their end-users during sign-in, streamlining the sign-in process and improving security.
The Future of Sign-In
While passwords aren’t going away anytime soon, passkeys represent a significant step forward in the quest for a simpler and more secure way to sign in to apps and websites. As more companies adopt passkeys, we can expect to see an increase in security and a decrease in the number of passwords we need to remember.
Passkeys are a game-changer when it comes to signing in to apps and websites. They’re easier to use and remember than traditional passwords, while also being much more secure. And with Google leading the way, it’s only a matter of time before more companies begin to adopt this new technology.
Source: Google
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