Passkeys vs. passwords: how the new login method improves security

Passwords have long been vulnerable to reuse, phishing and data-breach attacks, despite hashing and salting measures. Passkeys address these flaws by generating a public key for the service and keeping a private key on the user’s device, unlocked only by biometrics or a PIN. This two-factor approach blocks credential theft on fraudulent sites and removes the need for secondary authentication steps.

Apple, Google and Microsoft have built native support into iOS, Android and Windows 11, while Linux lacks built-in functionality. Because passkeys are tied to a specific device, users should store them in a cross-platform password manager or on a hardware token like a YubiKey to prevent loss. Adoption remains uneven, so many accounts still require traditional passwords alongside passkeys. Understanding the workflow helps users transition to a more secure, streamlined login experience.