You have the option of either using a password that is too simple (so that you can easily remember it) or using a password that is obscure enough to be secure but complicated enough to require the use of a password manager. Passwords have always been a necessary evil. In this article we will show you how to Use Passkeys with your Google Account.
Up until this point, the most effective method for ensuring the safety of your online accounts was to combine a password with a two-factor authentication (2FA) system. However, Google has recently introduced a new option, which is to use a passkey. A passkey is a secure credential that is linked to the PIN or biometric authentication that your device already uses. The passkey is unique to your device and is not stored in the cloud, making it an even greater security measure.
What Are Passkeys?
As a type of security measure, passkeys let people get into their online accounts without having to use passwords. The WebAuthn standard, which uses public-key cryptography to keep your accounts safer, is what they are based on. Users can type in a passkey that is sent to their phone or email as a one-time code instead of a password. Users won’t have to remember and type in long passwords, and hackers won’t be able to get into their accounts if they try to guess or steal their passwords.
Why Use Passkeys with Your Google Account?
- Security: Passkeys are more secure than passwords because they are not stored on your device or in the cloud. This means that they cannot be stolen or hacked.
- Convenience: Passkeys are more convenient to use than passwords because you don’t have to remember them. You can simply use your fingerprint or face ID to sign in.
- Compatibility: Passkeys work on all devices, including your phone, computer, and tablet.
- Future-proofing: Passkeys are the next generation of authentication technology. They are more secure and convenient than passwords, and they will be supported by more and more devices and websites in the future.
How to Use Passkeys with your Google Account
- Go to g.co/passkeys in your browser.
- Put in your password to access your Google account, and then sign in.
- Either generate a brand-new passkey for yourself, or select the Use Passkeys button.
- You can access your Google account from a different device.
- You can log in with either your fingerprint or your PIN.
- You can instead log in by scanning a QR code.
How to Sign In to Your Google Account Using Passkeys
- Go to accounts.google.com and enter your email.
- Click Next.
- To move on to the next screen, click Continue. No matter what you use to unlock your device, it will ask for your fingerprint, face, or PIN. You might have to click “Continue” on a second pop-up before your device asks you to prove who you are.
Passkeys vs. Traditional Passwords
Most passwords are safer than passkeys because they are not saved on your device or in the cloud. Hackers will find it much harder to steal or get into them this way. Plain text passwords, on the other hand, are often kept on devices or in the cloud. Because of this, hackers can get in and do things like phishing attacks and data breaches.
| Feature | Passkeys | Traditional passwords |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Not stored on device or in cloud | Stored on device or in cloud |
| Vulnerability to hacking | Very low | High |
| Susceptibility to replay attacks | No | Yes |
| Convenience | Very high | Medium |
Also, replay attacks can’t be used against passkeys. An attacker uses a valid login credential more than once to get into an account without permission. This is called a replay attack. This kind of attack can’t happen with passkeys.
FAQs
Whenever you use a passkey to log in to a computer for the very first time, a QR code is generated on the screen of the computer. To log in, use the camera on your mobile device to scan the QR code. You will not be required to scan a QR code the next time you sign in using this particular combination of a computer and a phone.
When it comes to the safety of your account, both passwords and passkeys have their advantages and disadvantages. The use of passwords is common, adaptable, and compatible; however, passwords can also be vulnerable, complicated, and difficult to administer. Passkeys provide a higher level of security, are simple to use, and are simple to manage; however, they can be expensive, incompatible, and inconvenient.
On your iPhone, you have the ability to generate and save passkeys, which can then be used in place of passwords when signing in to websites and apps that support the feature. Passkeys offer a higher level of protection than passwords do because they are generated one-of-a-kind for each account by the user’s own device and are less susceptible to phishing attacks.
