What is a Passkey?

What is a Passkey?

People are increasingly asking about passkeys, so here's a simple guide to what they are and why they matter.

A passkey is a new and more secure way to sign in to your online accounts without having to remember a password.

Instead of typing a password, your phone, tablet or computer confirms it is really you using:

• Your fingerprint
• Face recognition
• A PIN or screen lock

Passkeys are designed to be much harder for criminals to steal, guess or trick you into revealing.

Why Are Passkeys Safer?

Traditional passwords can be:

• Forgotten
• Stolen in data breaches
• Guessed by criminals
• Entered into fake websites by mistake

Passkeys help protect against these risks because there is no password to steal, reuse or share.

Even if you accidentally visit a fake website, your passkey will not work on it, helping to protect your account from phishing scams.

Where Can I Use a Passkey?

Many popular online services now support passkeys, including:

• Google
• Microsoft
• Apple
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (formerly Twitter)
• LinkedIn
• Amazon

To check whether a service offers passkeys, look in your account's Security or Sign-in settings.

How Do I Set Up a Passkey?

Once set up, you can use your passkey the next time you sign in.

More information concerning Passkeys, including a short video, can be found on the National Cyber Security Centre's website here - Passkeys: what you need to know | National Cyber Security Centre

Remember

✅ Use a passkey whenever one is available.

✅ If a passkey is not available, use a strong, unique password and enable two-step verification (2SV).

✅ Keep your phone, tablet or computer protected with a PIN, fingerprint or face recognition.

The Bottom Line

Passkeys make signing in easier and more secure. They help protect your accounts from common cyber threats and remove the need to remember complex passwords.

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