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The technology of passkeystouted as a revolutionary alternative to traditional passwords, has generated a lot of interest in recent years. Promising increased security and a simplified user experience, it needed to address the challenges posed by data breaches and phishing attacks. However, as passkeys become increasingly integrated into operating systems, browsers and password managers, unexpected obstacles have emerged. Rather than providing a simple and intuitive solution, the technology is proving complex and difficult for the average user to adopt. This complexity raises an essential question: are passkeys really ready to replace traditional passwords?
The promises of passkeys
THE passkeys are designed to be a passwordless authentication method, using cryptographic keys to secure connections. The main goal is to reduce password risks, such as data theft and phishing. In theory, passkeys provide built-in multi-factor security, combining something you have (the physical key), something you know (a PIN or password), and something you are (a fingerprint or facial recognition).
This approach should make accounts more secure by eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords. Additionally, passkeys are designed to be used seamlessly across multiple devices and platforms. However, despite these theoretical advantages, the practical implementation of passkeys has proven to be more complicated than expected.
One of the major problems is the lack of standardization in the use of passkeys. Each platform, whether Apple, Google or Microsoft, has its own way of managing and syncing these keys, creating a fragmented and confusing ecosystem for users. This means that instead of simplifying authentication, passkeys can sometimes make the process even more complicated, especially for those who are not tech-savvy.
The challenges of interoperability
The lack ofinteroperability between different systems and browsers is one of the main obstacles to the adoption of passkeys. Users may encounter very different experiences depending on the operating system or browser they are using. For example, connecting to a service like PayPal may require different steps depending on whether you're using Windows, iOS, or Android. This variability makes widespread adoption of passkeys difficult.
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Another problem is that some platforms try to lock users into their ecosystem. For example, passkeys created on macOS can be synced via iCloud, but this is not necessarily compatible with other platforms. This creates a challenge for users who want a truly cross-platform authentication solution.
The increased complexity of passkey authentication can discourage users who are looking for a simple and secure solution. For many users, the idea of having to navigate complex dialogs and options to simply log into an account is daunting. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that passkeys are not yet universally accepted, meaning users often have to revert to traditional passwords if something goes wrong.
Synchronization and management of passeskeys
One potential benefit of passkeys is their ability to be synced between different devices using password managers like 1Password. However, this synchronization is not always smooth. Passkeys are often tied to the platform they were created on, making them difficult to use on other devices or operating systems.
Additionally, while using a password manager can make passkeys easier to manage, it defeats the original purpose of passkeys: eliminating the need for password managers. Indeed, if a user has to rely on a manager to synchronize their passkeys, it raises the question of why not just continue using traditional passwords, which can also be managed and secured in this way.
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This reliance on password managers also complicates the user experience. For those unfamiliar with these tools, the transition to passkeys may seem like a step backwards rather than a step toward simplified security. For Passkeys to become a viable option for everyone, it is crucial to simplify the synchronization and management process across all platforms.
The limits of passkeys in terms of security
Although passkeys are designed to provide increased security, they are not without their own challenges. One problem is that many sites that support passkeys continue to require passwords as a fallback. This means that users can't actually get rid of their passwords, diminishing the appeal of passkeys as a completely secure solution.
Additionally, some platforms continue to rely on less secure authentication methods, such as SMS, even after passkeys are integrated. These methods can be vulnerable to phishing attacks and SIM swaps, undermining the effectiveness of passkeys as a robust security solution.
For passkeys to fully realize their security potential, it is essential to overcome these limitations and allow users to ditch traditional passwords altogether. This will require broader and more consistent adoption of passes by online platforms and a reduction in reliance on less secure fallback methods.
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What future for passports?
The future of passkeys will depend on their ability to overcome current challenges and truly simplify the user experience. For many users, especially those who are not comfortable with technology, passkeys must offer a simple, secure and intuitive solution to achieve widespread adoption.
It is also essential to resolve interoperability issues between platforms. Wider standardization and cooperation between large technology companies could facilitate this transition. The key will be to make the user experience as uniform as possible, regardless of the system or browser used.
Finally, passkeys must prove their value as a robust security solution. This means that platforms must be prepared to abandon traditional passwords in favor of passkeys and eliminate less secure authentication methods. Only then can passkeys truly replace passwords and realize their potential as a new secure authentication standard.
As passeskeys continue to evolve, one question remains: are they ready to disrupt the way we manage online security, or will they remain a promising but difficult solution for the general public to implement?
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