What Is a Passkey? A Simple Guide for Seniors
Passwords are a pain. You have to remember them, make them complicated, change them when something goes wrong, and somehow keep track of which password goes with which website. Now you may be seeing something called a passkey instead. It sounds technical, but the idea is actually pretty simple. What Is a Passkey? A passkey is a newer way to sign in to a website or app without typing a password . Instead, you may use something you already use to unlock your phone or computer, such as: Your fingerprint Face ID or facial recognition A PIN Your device's screen lock So instead of remembering something like: FluffyDog!4729# you may simply look at your phone, use your fingerprint, or enter your device PIN. That is basically a passkey. Why Are Companies Starting to Use Passkeys? One big reason is security. Passwords can be stolen. Someone can trick you into typing your password into a fake website. Passwords can also be leaked when companies have data breaches. Passkeys are much harder fo...