Google has begun support for passkeys, an alternate sign-in method for apps and websites. They will serve as an alternative to the password that’s “easier to use and more secure,” according to the search giant.
Why it matters: The use of passkeys will allow users to access their accounts in the same manner in which they would unlock their phone, such as a face scan, screen lock pin, or fingerprint, allowing for a flexible, yet safer login experience. Google claimed that they are safer than conventional passwords and are resistant to phishing, adding an increased layer of security for users.
- Passwords are vulnerable to accidental mishandling, including being reused or exposed in a data breach; passkeys protect users against these issues.
- The FIDO Alliance, a security consortium of which many tech firms are members, had already developed standards for passkeys – making it an easier transition for companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft to make them possible.
- Passkeys only work for Google accounts but will soon be rolled out to Google Workspace administrators in order to enable them for general users.
