Google Passkeys Explained [UPSC Notes]

Google announced its plan to kill passwords with something called Passkeys. In this article, we discuss what passkeys are, how they make passwords redundant and what the benefits are for users. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam science and technology segment of GS paper III.

Google Launches Passkeys

Google has launched a new method for users to sign in to apps and websites without using passwords.

• Google has announced a feature which eliminates the need to remember passwords to sign into Google apps and websites.
• This is a significant step towards a “passwordless future” that will protect users from phishing and malware.

What are Passkeys?

Passkeys are a safe and convenient solution that employs biometric authentication on your device to authenticate your identity.

• Passkeys are both easier and more secure than passwords and with these, people will be able to sign in to apps and sites in the same way as they unlock their devices: a fingerprint, face scan, or a screen lock PIN.
• Passkeys are resistant to phishing, making these more secure than SMS or one-time passcodes.
• Passkeys can also be effective in preventing cyberattacks to some extent since passwords are more vulnerable.
• Unlike passwords, passkeys can only exist on your devices. They cannot be written down or accidentally given to a bad actor. When you use a passkey to sign in to your Google Account, it proves to Google that you have access to your device and are able to unlock it.
  • Together, this means that passkeys protect you against phishing and any accidental mishandling that passwords are prone to, such as being reused or exposed in a data breach. 

Advantages of Google Passkeys

• Passkeys are more convenient than passwords since they do not require users to remember or type anything.
• Passkeys protect you against phishing attacks and data breaches, something passwords cannot always accomplish.
• Passkeys are compatible with any device, platform, or browser that supports biometric authentication or a local PIN.
• Passkeys can be stored on security keys, allowing you to sign in without a password on several devices.

Google Passkeys Explained [UPSC Notes]:- Download PDF Here