Current:Home > NewsHow does Google passkey work? Kiss your passwords goodbye with this new tool-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
How does Google passkey work? Kiss your passwords goodbye with this new tool
View Date:2024-12-23 19:06:01
Passwords might be one of the biggest tech frustrations. Make them too hard, and they're impossible to remember. Too easy, and your accounts are practically wide open.
You could use a password manager or your browser's built-in option to remember your logins. Here's how to find saved passwords in your browser.
Those solutions aren't perfect, of course. Password managers get hacked, and anyone with the know-how can access your saved browser options. No wonder tech companies are working to welcome us to a future sans passwords.
I write about the latest tech gear, security alerts and digital life hacks in my daily emails. Join 600K+ who get the Current each day. It's free!
Woof! It starts with the FIDO Alliance
That stands for Fast IDentity Online. Big tech companies launched the industry association in 2013 to build a better system than passwords we have to keep track of and type in. Now we're seeing more start to roll it out, and Google's beta testing worked so well that the company just made it the standard way to protect your account.
Before we get to how to use passkeys, let's do a deep dive into how they work.
What is a passkey, and how does it work?
A passkey is a personalized FIDO credential (like your fingerprint or face scan) that lives securely on your device. You use that instead of a username and password to unlock your accounts.
Another bonus: No more sticky notes with passwords on your monitor. Passkeys also eliminate the daily "Which password did I use here?" dilemma. Naturally, it'll be faster and easier to log in.
But is it safe to use? Glad you're asking. The unique structure of passkeys makes them near-impenetrable, unlike passwords – which are notoriously easy to crack. Since they're stored on your local device, passkeys can't be hacked or guessed like passwords.
And there's no concern of a hacker getting their hands on one of your passwords and opening the keys to the castle since each device has its unique passkey. That's a far cry from passwords, and studies show most people rely on only a handful of passwords for all their accounts.
Is paid social media the future? If you want privacy, probably.
Want to try it out?
If you're sick of typing in credentials all day, you can set up passkeys with your Google account.
Note: Passkeys are automatically created for Google devices, but you must set them up for any other gadgets you use to access your account(s). You need to do this individually on each device you want to give access to. Remember, a passkey lives on that device, so it's not just an accountwide setting.
◾ Go to g.co/passkeys.
◾ Tap Get passkeys and sign in.
◾ Select Use passkeys, then follow the onscreen prompts.
You'll be prompted to log in without your password in certain situations. My advice: Use biometric authentication (your fingerprint or face) anywhere you can. It's much more secure than a PIN.
Fear not, Apple folks
You can use passkeys with your iPhone too. These work through the iCloud Keychain. Make sure you have that turned on and two-factor authentication enabled to use passkeys. Note: To use passkeys, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, or tvOS 16 (or later) is required.
Depending on the website, browser, or app you're using, saving a passkey to your iPhone and iCloud Keychain usually consists of these steps:
◾ On your iPhone, go to the sign-in screen for a supported website or app and do one of the following: If setting up a new account: Tap the button or link for setting up new accounts, then follow the onscreen instructions.
◾ When you see the option to save a passkey for the account, tap Continue. Your passkey is saved.
Note: If you don't see a passkey option, the app or website doesn't currently support passkeys.
To sign in to an account on your iPhone with a passkey:
◾ On your iPhone, go to the website or app and tap the account name field on the sign-in screen.
◾ Tap the suggested account name that appears at the bottom of the screen or near the top of the keyboard. If the account name doesn't appear, or you want to use a different one, enter it.
◾ Use Face ID or Touch ID to complete sign-in. If you didn't set up Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone, enter your device passcode (the code you use to unlock your iPhone).
The passkey you saved completes the sign-in automatically.
When using a device not associated with your Apple ID, you can still sign in to an account using the passkey stored on your iPhone. Here's how:
◾ On the other device, go to the website or app and enter your user name in the account name field on the sign-in screen.
◾ Select Other options, Passkey from nearby device, or similar, then follow the onscreen instructions to display a QR code on the screen.
◾ Use your iPhone camera to scan the QR code.
The passkey that's saved to iCloud Keychain completes the sign-in automatically.
Now, onward, with your safe new logins.
Keep your tech-know going
My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It's a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK: Block war videos online, home swapping in NYC & goodbye to passwords
Plus, a website that makes it easy to find any movie on streaming. And hey, victims of the MGM cyberattack – Larry Flynt's Hustler Club has a little something to make it up to you. The health features your watch can track and how to keep your location off Google Maps.
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website.
veryGood! (5659)
Related
- South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays
- Millions more workers would be entitled to overtime pay under a proposed Biden administration rule
- US economic growth for last quarter is revised down to a 2.1% annual rate
- New Mexico’s top prosecutor vows to move ahead with Native education litigation
- Olivia Munn Randomly Drug Tests John Mulaney After Mini-Intervention
- Nick Saban refusing to release Alabama depth chart speaks to generational gap
- Unclear how many in Lahaina lost lives as Hawaii authorities near the end of their search for dead
- Australians are voting on creating an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Here’s what you need to know
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Take the Day Off
- Louisiana plagued by unprecedented wildfires, as largest active blaze grows
Ranking
- A pair of Trump officials have defended family separation and ramped-up deportations
- UNC-Chapel Hill faculty member killed, suspect in custody after campus lockdown
- Trump, other defendants to be arraigned next week in Georgia election case
- How to win USA TODAY Sports' NFL Survivor Pool: Beware of upsets
- What to know about Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney, who died Friday
- Guatemalan president calls for transition of power to anti-corruption crusader Arévalo
- She paid her husband's hospital bill. A year after his death, they wanted more money.
- Hurricane Idalia: Preparedness tips, resources to help keep your family safe
Recommendation
-
New wildfires burn in US Northeast while bigger blazes rage out West
-
A new Titanic expedition is planned. The US is fighting it, says wreck is a grave site
-
Shooting at White Sox game happened after woman hid gun in belly, per report
-
The EPA removes federal protections for most of the country's wetlands
-
Celtics' Jaylen Brown calls Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo a 'child' over fake handshake
-
High school football coach arrested, charged with battery after hitting player on sideline
-
Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida, threatens 'catastrophic storm surge': Live updates
-
Elton John spends night in hospital after falling at his home in Nice, France