Passkeys: Your Key to a Safer Digital World (Literally)

Ever fumbled with remembering your password for the 157th time? You’re not alone. Enter passkeys: the superhero of the authentication world that’s here to save your sanity (and your online security).

But what are passkeys, exactly? Think of them as a high-tech keychain for your digital life. They come in a few flavors:

Flavor #1: The Tangible Kind

These are physical passkeys like YubiKeys or Google Titan Keys. Picture a tiny, indestructible USB drive that holds the power to unlock your accounts. Plug it in, tap, and voilà—access granted.
We covered these keys in more detail in our article about hardware keys.

Why choose hardware keys for your passkeys?

Pros:
Physical passkeys are virtually unhackable. No phishing scam or sneaky hacker is getting through without holding the actual device.

Cons:
Lose it, and you’re locked out. You need to have at least two with all of your sites on them.

Also, lugging around a little gadget might not be your thing. If you don’t have your key with you, you are either not getting in, or you have to fall back to another method, such as an authenticator app.

Flavor #2: The Digital Passkey in Your Password Manager

Your trusty password manager (like Keeper, Bitwarden, or LastPass) can store passkeys alongside your passwords. These nifty tools handle the heavy lifting for you—creating, storing, and using passkeys seamlessly. You should be using a password manager either way, so why not start using it for passkeys?

Why choose this?

Pros:
Super convenient! Everything’s in one place.

Your passkeys are synced across all of your devices, which can be a huge advantage.

Cons:
If your password manager is compromised (yikes!), your passkeys could also be at risk.

Flavor #3: Your Phone as Your Passkey Keeper

Yep, your smartphone can also manage passkeys. Apple, Google, and Microsoft have jumped on the bandwagon, making it easier than ever to use your phone as a secure login tool.

Why choose this?

Pros:
Obviously, your phone is ALWAYS with you, like it or not.

Cons:
Lose your phone? That’s a headache you don’t want to deal with on so many levels.

You’ll need to get your phone out each time you log in, which might be less convenient than other options.

Comparison Matrix: Passkey Options

Setting Up a Passkey: The Easy-Peasy Guide

Let’s say you want to use passkeys for Amazon or Microsoft 365:

• Log in the usual way. Go ahead, type that old-school password.
• Enable passkey authentication. Look for the security settings and find an option like “Set up a passkey.”
• Link your device or passkey manager.
• Follow the on-screen steps to pair your key, phone, or password manager with the account.

Smile, because next time, logging in will be a breeze!

Are Passkeys the Future?

Yes! The bad news? Not every website supports passkeys yet. The good news? Big players like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon are already on board, and the list grows daily. Want to see which sites support passkeys? Check out passkeys.directory.

So, Why Wait?

Passkeys are not just a trend; they’re a step toward a safer, more convenient digital world And, they are coming whether we like it or not. But we think that if you give them a try, you’ll find they are easier to use than you thought.

Ready to start? Grab a passkey solution that works for you, set it up, and experience a world where “forgot password?” is a thing of the past.

Let’s Talk About Your Security

Are you sure that your current security strategies are sufficient? Would you like help getting your business setup with biometrics for more convenient security?

Whether you’re reevaluating your cybersecurity measures or simply curious about how to help your business run more efficiently, we’re here to help. At ViaTek, we’re committed to providing best-in-class IT solutions that align with your business needs.

If you’d like to discuss your current backup strategy or learn more about our services, reach out to schedule a meeting with our team. Let’s make sure your business is protected, no matter what the future holds.

If you have any questions or need advice on creating strong passwords or using password managers, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email us at sales@viatek.net or call (303) 664-1182.

Previous Articles in This Series:

• Why the FBI and CISA Recommend Against SMS-Based Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• An Introduction to Authenticator Apps
• An Introduction to Hardware Keys
• An Introduction to Biometric Authentication