Company
Date Published
Author
Rishi Bhargava
Word count
1462
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

In a notable development, Google announced the rollout of passkeys on World Password Day in 2023, marking a potential shift away from traditional passwords, which, although familiar, are fraught with security and usability issues. Passkeys, which utilize device-based cryptography and biometrics, aim to overcome these weaknesses by eliminating phishing risks, reducing user friction, and enhancing privacy. The transition to passkeys is gaining momentum, with major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft adopting them as a new standard for authentication. Passkeys offer a more secure, faster, and user-friendly alternative to passwords, leading to higher success rates in user logins, as evidenced by various studies and trials. While the complete replacement of passwords is not immediate due to existing systems and user habits, a hybrid approach where both methods coexist is currently being employed. Developers and organizations are encouraged to prepare for this change, with platforms like Descope offering tools to facilitate the integration of passkeys into existing systems.