A passkey is a type of authentication method that aims to replace passwords. It uses a combination of hardware and software to create a secure and more user-friendly login experience. Here's a breakdown:
How it works:
Device-specific: passkeys are tied to your specific device – such as your phone, laptop or tablet. If your device has a mechanism to synchronise passkeys with other devices, then a single passkey can be used across multiple devices.
Automatic login: when you use a passkey, your device logs you in automatically and you don't need to enter a password.
Cross-platform: you can use a passkey across different devices and operating systems.
Benefits:
Enhanced security: passkeys are much more difficult to steal or compromise than passwords.
Easier to use: you don't need to remember or type in complex passwords.