Passkeys are considered a highly secure method for authentication and are generally more secure than traditional passwords. Here's why:
✅ Why Passkeys Are Secure
- Phishing-Resistant
Passkeys use cryptographic authentication (public/private key pairs) and never transmit secrets over the network. This makes them resistant to phishing, unlike passwords or one-time codes.
- Device-Based Private Keys
The private key stays on your device (e.g., phone, computer, hardware key). Only the public key is stored by the service you're logging into. Your private key is never shared.
- Biometric or PIN Protected
Passkey usage is typically gated by device-level security—like Face ID, fingerprint, or a secure PIN—adding an extra layer of protection.
- No Reuse Across Sites
Each passkey is unique to a specific service, eliminating the risk of credential stuffing (reusing passwords across sites).
- Strong Encryption
They are based on public key cryptography, which is a gold standard for secure authentication.
🔒 Compared to Other Methods
|
Method
|
Phishing Resistance
|
Credential Reuse Risk
|
User Convenience
|
|
Passwords
|
❌ Low
|
❌ High
|
✅ Moderate
|
|
2FA (SMS/email)
|
❌ Moderate
|
✅ Better
|
❌ Less convenient
|
|
Hardware tokens
|
✅ High
|
✅ Low
|
❌ Less convenient
|
|
Passkeys
|
✅ High
|
✅ None
|
✅ High
|
🧩 Additional Notes
- Cross-device syncing is supported by platforms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft via iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, etc., making passkeys easy to use across multiple devices.
- Fallback mechanisms should still be in place in case a user loses access to their device or syncing service.
🔚 Bottom Line
Yes, passkeys are secure—and arguably the future of login security.
They offer a phishing-resistant, user-friendly alternative to passwords and are being widely adopted by tech giants like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and others.