Passwords Are Dead: Say Hello to Passkeys

Traditional passwords, despite being notoriously insecure, continue to be widely used. However, passkeys are emerging as a robust replacement, offering enhanced security. Developed by the Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance, passkeys utilize a combination of public and private keys stored on your devices or password managers, linking access directly to your authenticated identity.

Passkeys provide significant security benefits, being impossible to guess or share. Their uniqueness to specific websites also makes them resistant to phishing attempts. Crucially, in an era of frequent data breaches, passkeys cannot be extracted from company servers, diminishing their appeal to cybercriminals.

While passkeys offer a compelling advance, security researchers highlight that vulnerabilities like cookie hijacking through malware can still compromise accounts. These validated cookies allow criminals to emulate authenticated sessions without needing credentials. Experts advise users to opt for the shortest possible cookie session durations and utilize passkeys or strong passwords to mitigate such risks.