Revamping User Authentication: The Role of Passkeys

Passkeys are leading the charge in transforming how we secure our digital identities. 

This article offers a comprehensive exploration of passkeys – breaking down their mechanics, illustrating their advantages over traditional passwords, and showcasing their role in the next wave of secure online authentication. 

Whether you’re a developer, IT professional, or simply tech-curious, join us as we explore the ins and outs of passkeys, providing practical examples and guidance on how to implement them for a safer, smoother online experience.

What are passkeys?

A passkey is a secure method that distinctly identifies a user through advanced mechanisms that go beyond the traditional “something you know” attribute of passwords. Instead, passkeys encompass facets like “something you are”, like biometrics, or “something you have”, such as a physical security key. 

Example of biometric authentication

Using passkeys for your websites and platforms gives visitors an easy way to verify their identity without typing complex passwords, replacing them with unique and often temporary credentials, enhancing security and user experience.

These tokens often come in the form of unique, time-sensitive codes that protect online spaces against unwanted entries. The most common types include facial and fingerprint recognition, complicated designed patterns, or secure PINs, which are often specially generated for this specific login attempt. 

There are many advantages to integrating passkeys:

• Enhanced security: Passkeys offer a more secure authentication method compared to traditional passwords, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
• User-friendly: They simplify the login process, making it quicker and more convenient for users by eliminating the need to remember and type passwords.
• Reduced forgetfulness issues: The temporary nature of passkeys means users don’t have to remember a static password, decreasing the chances of lockouts due to forgotten passwords.
• Resistance to brute force attacks: Passkeys’ unique and often temporary nature makes them much harder for attackers to guess through repeated trial and error.
• Decreased dependency on password recovery: Passkeys significantly reduce the reliance on potentially insecure password recovery methods, as users no longer need to reset forgotten passwords frequently.

Passkeys are built on FIDO standards

​​Short for Fast Identity Online, FIDO is a global authentication standard designed to reinforce and simplify the digital authentication process, making it simpler for users and more secure against threats. 

These standards are based on public key cryptography and have played a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of passkeys by ensuring they comply with rigorous security and ease-of-use criteria.

Through the integration of FIDO protocols, such as U2F (Universal 2nd Factor) and WebAuthn, passkeys benefit from an advanced security infrastructure. U2F adds a layer of protection by involving a physical security key in the authentication process, while WebAuthn allows for the registration and verification of users on web applications through biometric data, mobile devices, or FIDO security keys, moving away from password reliance.

This combination of passkeys with FIDO standards has significantly improved digital authentication, making it safer and more user-friendly. 

Understanding the user flow with passkeys

Passkeys are revolutionizing the way we authenticate, making logging in smoother and more secure. Imagine the ease of entering a secure system or website without the hassle of remembering complex passwords. Here’s a simple breakdown of how a typical passkey authentication process works. 

1. Registration: First, a user chooses to create a passkey for a service. This often happens during the initial sign-up or through a settings menu for existing users. The user confirms their identity through a verification method, like an email link or a text message code.
2. Creating a passkey: The system prompts the user to authorize the creation of a passkey. This can be done using a device’s biometric features (like a fingerprint or facial recognition) or a PIN. The passkey is then generated and securely stored on the user’s device, as well as with the service, but in a way that the service can’t see the passkey itself.
3. Authentication: When returning to the service, the user is prompted to unlock their passkey, again using biometrics or a PIN. The device then communicates with the service, confirming the user’s identity without transmitting the passkey. This seamless interaction ensures that the user’s credentials are never exposed to potential theft.

How passkey authentication works

4. Cross-device usage: Passkeys can also be used across different devices, thanks to cloud synchronization, making authentication even more convenient without compromising security.

This flow stands out from traditional passwords by eliminating the need for users to remember anything or enter credentials manually, reducing the risk of phishing or password theft. Besides that, because the authentication is tied to the user’s device and/or biometrics, it significantly enhances security.

Exploring real-world examples of the Passkeys experience

iOS, Android, and desktop recognition 

On mobile platforms like iOS and Android, the experience of using passkeys is designed to be incredibly intuitive. When users attempt to log into a service that supports passkeys, the operating system prompts them to authenticate using a method they are already familiar with, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN. 

A lot of modern laptops, both Apple and Windows, include a fingerprint scanner in the power button, and since 2015, Windows laptops have started including facial recognition, as well. Until a few years ago, this was a function only available for mobile devices. 

For example, this is how the prompt looks on a Mac laptop when trying to access information behind a security wall, such as the Google Password Manager. 

Touch ID option on a Mac computer

In the device’s settings, people can specify where they want to use this type of recognition. For instance, these are the settings for Face ID on an iPhone. 

iPhone Face ID settings

This seamless process eliminates the need to type in usernames and passwords, offering a secure and streamlined login experience directly integrated into the device’s ecosystem.

LastPass

LastPass Passwordless Vault service page

LastPass is a popular password manager that has embraced passkeys, providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies the shift from traditional passwords to passkey authentication. Users can generate and manage their passkeys within the LastPass app, which then facilitates easy and secure access to various services. 

Google Passkey

Google Passkey homepage

Google has been at the forefront of implementing passkey authentication across its services. Users can create a passkey for their Google Account, which then allows for swift access to Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. 

Why developers, users, and businesses prefer passkeys over passwords and MFA 

Over the past few years, more and more developers and businesses prefer passkeys over traditional passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Let’s see why. 

They’re safer

Traditional systems are very vulnerable. For example, in 2021, the New York City Law Department experienced a significant cyberattack, where attackers accessed sensitive data, including city employees’ personal information, police misconduct evidence, plaintiffs’ medical records, and the identities of minors charged with crimes, through a single employee’s compromised email password. 

Passkeys, on the other hand, are immune to common threats like phishing and keylogging, as they do not transmit sensitive information that can be intercepted or deceitfully obtained. 

This is possible because passkeys use public-private key cryptography, a method far superior to the conventional password system. Unlike passwords, which rely on a shared secret known by both the user and the service, passkeys work by creating a pair of keys: a private one that stays with the user and a public one stored on the server. So, even if a server is compromised, attackers cannot impersonate the user without access to the private key.

They’re easier to use

Passkeys significantly simplify the user experience. People don’t need to remember complex passwords, manage multiple credentials, and constantly reset passwords. 

Instead, they gain access with just a tap or a biometric check, making the process not only quicker but also more enjoyable. This simplicity and speed appeal to tech-savvy individuals and those less comfortable with technology, expanding the accessibility of secure online services.

They result in more conversions

The frictionless nature of passkey authentication reduces dropout rates during the signup process and encourages higher user retention by removing common login-related frustrations. This ease of use can significantly boost conversion rates, as users are more likely to complete sign-up processes and continue using services that offer an effortless access method. 

Furthermore, by adopting passkeys, companies can distinguish themselves from competitors, offering a modern and secure authentication solution that appeals to privacy and convenience-conscious consumers.

They can be used for single sign-on purposes

Passkeys seamlessly integrate with Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions, enhancing both convenience and security. SSO allows users to access multiple services or applications with a single set of credentials, reducing the burden of remembering numerous passwords. 

By incorporating passkeys into SSO frameworks, users enjoy an even smoother login experience across various platforms, with the added benefit of heightened security. 

This integration not only simplifies user access but also bolsters productivity and security for businesses by minimizing the potential attack surface for cyber threats.

It’s time to enter a passwordless future

By the end of this article, you’ll have understood what passkeys are – and more importantly, you’ll hopefully agree that it’s time for passkeys to trump passwords once and for all. 

At Gravatar, we’re paving the way for a more open, connected, and user-centric internet – and our approach to profile management lets you build a complete digital identity management solution along with your passkeys authentication service. 

With more than 20 years of serving as people’s globally recognized avatar, Gravatar allows users to create profiles that serve as universal identifiers across any website or web application that integrates with Gravatar’s API. This minimizes the need for users to manage data across different platforms and also minimizes the need for you as a developer or website owner to store user data directly. 

So, if you’re looking to enhance your site, app, or online store, discover more about how you can integrate Gravatar and join the movement toward a more secure, efficient online experience for everyone.