End of passwords: Google announces passkey on all accounts

The end of traditional number, character and letter passwords is nearer than ever before. To contribute to the new era of security, Google announced today that (3) passkeys can be used in Google account changing alphanumeric passwords and two-step verification.

For the unfamiliar, passkeys are a login method that combines mobile phones with other devices such as desktop computers, laptops, and tablets, using facial recognition, fingerprints, or PINs.

Previously, the service was only available for Google Chrome 108 on Windows 11, macOS and Android.

The tech company announced the start of testing with the vehicle in October last year, and argues it’s one of its main benefits. passkeys are phishing resistant and designed to prevent sharing.

Still, innovation is important because the most popular passwords “put too much responsibility on users,” according to the Mountain View giant.

“Choosing strong passwords and remembering them across multiple accounts can be tricky. And even the most experienced users are often tricked into giving up on phishing attempts,” said Arnar Birgisson and Diana K. Smetters, two of Google’s security and identification teams.

How are toggle switches used?

The new system can be activated from this Wednesday. Devices running iOS 16 or Android 9. The access key, which can be facial recognition, biometrics or a cell phone PIN, is stored on the devices themselves and is not shared with Google.

It will be the main login option when creating a password. However, more traditional passwords and even two-factor authentication may still be used if, for example, a device does not support the new technology.

Google explains that although it requires a device such as a smartphone to generate a passkey, you don’t always have to have the device nearby to sign in. In addition to being able to create passwords for each device (desktop, notebook, tablet, etc.), the user still has the option to make a backup to synchronize access.

That is, if a passkey is created on the iPhone, the same access will be available on all other Apple devices connected to the same iCloud account.

There is also a tool security options in case of loss allowing access to stolen or stolen devices to be revoked, For example. To sign up and start using passkeys, you need to access the service page.