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Passkeys vs. traditional passwords
Passkeys vs. traditional passwords
Updated over a week ago

Passkeys and passwords are both methods of authenticating users for online accounts, but they differ significantly in their creation, usage, and security features.

What are Passkeys?

Passkeys are a new type of digital credential designed to be more secure than traditional passwords. They use public key cryptography, consisting of a private key stored on the user's device and a public key stored on the account server. When logging in, the server sends a challenge that the user's device solves with the private key, verifying the user's identity without transmitting sensitive information.

Key features of passkeys:

  • Automatically generated using cryptography

  • Phishing-resistant

  • Tied to specific devices

  • Support two-factor authentication by design

  • Cannot be easily compromised in data breaches

What are Passwords?

Passwords are traditional strings of characters used in combination with usernames to access accounts. While universally supported, they come with inherent security risks.

Key features of passwords:

  • User-generated

  • Varying complexity (often weak due to user habits)

  • Vulnerable to phishing attacks

  • Can be compromised in data breaches

  • Require separate two-factor authentication setup

Key Differences:

1. Creation: Passkeys are automatically generated, while passwords are created by users.

2. Security: Passkeys are phishing-resistant and more difficult to compromise. Passwords can be vulnerable to various attacks, especially if weak or reused.

3. User Experience: Passkeys don't require memorization or manual entry. Passwords need to be remembered or securely stored.

4. Device Dependency: Passkeys are tied to specific devices, which can complicate cross-device usage. Passwords can be used on any device.

5. Adoption: Passkeys are relatively new and not yet widely supported. Passwords are universally accepted.

6. Phishing Resistance: Passkeys inherently resist phishing attempts. Passwords can be easily entered on fake websites.

7. Data Breach Impact: If a server with passkeys is breached, the stolen public keys are useless without the private keys. Password breaches can directly compromise accounts.

8. Two-Factor Authentication: Passkeys incorporate a form of 2FA by design. Passwords often require separate 2FA setup.

Conclusion: Passkeys are a major step forward in online security, offering better protection than traditional passwords. As adoption grows, we're moving towards a more secure and convenient digital world. While passwords are still common, passkeys represent a future of stronger, simpler authentication.

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