What Are Passkeys and How Do They Work?

Passkeys are a new, more secure alternative to traditional passwords, designed to streamline and fortify the user authentication process. This innovative approach replaces the need for passwords with a more secure method of authentication involving cryptographic key pairs.

Passkeys are public key credentials that fundamentally change how we authenticate ourselves online. When you sign up for an account using a passkey, your device generates a pair of cryptographic keys – one public and one private. The public key is sent to the server, while the private key remains securely stored on your device. During the login process, the server sends a unique challenge that your device must sign using the private key. This interaction verifies your identity without exposing any sensitive information, as the private key never leaves your device.

After the initial account setup, the user simply needs to unlock their device – using biometrics such as fingerprint recognition or facial recognition, for instance – to facilitate the login process. This unlocking enables the private key to sign the challenge from the server, thereby authenticating the user's identity. The use of asymmetric cryptography – involving a private key that stays secure on the device and a public key that validates the identity request with the server – significantly enhances security. There are no shared secrets that could be intercepted or stolen by malicious actors.

One of the key benefits of passkeys is their ability to eliminate phishing attacks. Since passkeys are tied to the origin of the website or application, it becomes virtually impossible for attackers to trick users into giving away their private credentials on fake sites. Moreover, passkeys improve usability. Users no longer need to remember complex passwords; a simple device unlock via biometrics suffices, making the login process quicker and hassle-free.

This post serves as an initial introduction to the concept of passkeys. Future posts will explore the intricate workings of passkeys, delve into their myriad benefits, and examine how they can be implemented effectively. Stay tuned!