Most people know the frustration of dealing with passwords – forgetting them, resetting them, and worrying if they’re secure, and managing them in effective ways. The good news? A new, safer authentication option is here: passkeys.
Passkeys let you log in using something simple and secure, like your fingerprint, face recognition, or a PIN, instead of remembering complex passwords.They’re fast, easy to use, and much harder for hackers to steal.
Passkeys are built on public-key cryptography. When you register with a service, your device creates two linked keys: a private key (kept safe on your phone or computer) and a publickey (stored by the service). When you log in, the service checks your private key via your device, but that private key never leaves your device. This makes it virtually impossible for hackers to steal through phishing or database breaches.
• Stronger security – No passwords to steal or phish. Your passkey is locked to your device.
• No more password fatigue – Passkeys coupled with tool like Keeper, mean there is no need to remember dozens of logins.
• Built-in multi-factor protection – Using your device plus biometrics or a PIN means an extra layer of security by default.
• Can work across devices –This depends on the service. Some only allow use on one device, but if the system allows you to store your passkey in a password manager (like Keeper), they can usually sync across multiple devices.
• “What if my phone is stolen?” – Your passkeys are encrypted, and you’ll need biometrics or a PIN to use them. You can also recover them on a new device. However, after recovering your passkeys, you should always refresh them.
• “Can hackers get them?” – Unlike passwords, passkeys can’t simply be stolen from cloud breaches like passwords, and because they’re tied to your biometrics, hackers can’t use them without you.
• “What about shared computers?” – You can still log in by using your phone to confirm your identity securely.
1. Check if your accounts support passkeys, major platforms like Microsoft, Apple and Google now offer passkey options.
Directory of apps that support passkeys with Keeper: Access Here
2. Turn on passkeys in your account settings.
3. Use a trusted tool to store and manage passkeys, we recommend Microsoft Authenticator (only option currently supported for Microsoft accounts) and Keeper Password Manager.
4. Make sure your devices are protected with a PIN, fingerprint, or face ID.
Passwords will eventually be a thing of the past. Passkeys are safer, easier, and designed for the way we work today. For SMBs, adopting them means stronger protection without the hassle, keeping your business and team safer.
For help getting started with passkeys, reach out to our cyber security specialists via hello@itpartners.co.nz.
