Passkey Authentication: A Secure and Convenient Way to Safeguard Your Accounts

Posted
September 4, 2023
by
Caroline Soares Gomes
-
2 min read
Last update:
August 8, 2023
Securely sign in to an account on your computer with a passkey on your smartphone or contactless card instead of a password.

Online security has become a pressing concern in recent times. With data breaches and cyberattacks on the rise, it's essential to protect our online accounts. Common security measures include passwords, but they're susceptible to hacking, especially if they're weak or easy to guess. Fortunately, passkey authentication offers a more secure and convenient way to safeguard our accounts.

What is a passkey?

Passkeys are a new security protocol that replaces passwords with a unique, cryptographic key. Each time a user logs in, their device sends a cryptographic key to the server which verifies it before granting access. This method is safer than passwords because it's virtually impossible to guess or hack a cryptographic key.

How secure are passkeys?

Passkey authentication offers high-level security by default. The keys are unique and encrypted, making it difficult for hackers to crack them. Moreover, the protocol uses public-key cryptography, meaning that the keys don't need to be stored on centralized servers, thereby reducing the risk of a data breach. Additionally, passkey authentication provides two-factor authentication, which means a user needs to provide two pieces of information (their passkey and another factor such as a fingerprint or face recognition) to access their account. These layers of security make it incredibly difficult for hackers to compromise your accounts.

Why move from passwords to passkeys?

Passkey authentication provides numerous benefits over traditional passwords. It's more secure, more convenient (you don't need to remember your password), and provides a streamlined user experience. Additionally, it reduces the risk of phishing attacks where hackers trick users into revealing their passwords.

Moreover, enterprises stand to benefit significantly from passkeys. Given that data breaches can cost businesses too much, it's essential to prioritize cybersecurity. It enables companies to safeguard their sensitive information and intellectual property, reducing the risk of losses. Additionally, it saves time and money spent on resetting passwords or dealing with user lockouts. Employees no longer need to remember multiple passwords or use weak ones out of convenience.  

In addition to great user experience and phishing-resistant security, passkeys allow enterprises to scale easily and affordably. With passkeys, users do not need to register a new FIDO credential on each service or every new device (which would typically be with a password for that first login). The users’ passkeys are available whenever needed—even if they change their device. And with IDmelon, employees can immediately turn their smartphones into a FIDO security key and enjoy the convenience that passkeys offer. Both time and money saving! Try our passkey authentication solution and increase security within a few clicks only. Start it here and sign up to explore with 5 security keys for free.

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