Passwords may be a thing of the past if 1Password’s testing of a new security measure is successful.
Key Details
- One of the most popular password security tools, 1Password, is beta testing a new tool that stores passkeys.
- Unlike passwords, passkeys require facial recognition, touch ID, or a hardware login, making them more secure than passwords based on phrases.
- In addition to greater security, passkeys offer faster and more convenient service, Axios reports.
Why it’s news
With new technology and greater tech literacy, stealing passwords and hacking into accounts has become more commonplace, compromising users’ sensitive data. Many users apply the same password to multiple accounts, making hacking even simpler.
On the dark web, cybercriminals have developed markets where passwords are bought and sold. Ransomware attacks are often performed using stolen passwords, Axios reports.
Passkeys are generally considered more secure than passwords because hackers would need both the user’s information and the information from the company.
If 1Password’s beta testing is successful, its current business model will fade into obscurity, and modern-day passwords will be a relic of a past, less secure age. Recently, 1Password acquired Passage. This Austin, Texas, startup assists companies in establishing passkeys on their website.
With 1Password’s program expansion, its password manager will assist customers in transferring their passkeys to multiple devices.
Trying to remember a device password can be frustrating, but with 1Password’s passkeys, logging in could be much easier.
“It’s just become almost frustrating for people to remember how I signed in last time,” 1Password CEO Jeff Shiner says.
Saving a passkey is similar to the current method of saving a password. When a user creates a new account, the 1Password browser extension will keep the passkey in its manager.
Google, Microsoft, and Apple already support passkeys on their current systems. However, some are not ready to embrace passkeys. Not every website is set up to accept logins using facial recognition or other biometric options. Even if every website could accept these types of passkeys, many may not be able to store the information on their servers.
1Password plans to move out of beta testing once Android and iOS support for passkeys becomes more commonplace. This summer, 1Password users will soon be able to replace all current passwords with passkeys, Axios reports.