We’ve talked repeatedly about the importance of password managers. Having a different password for each of your accounts is important because if a hacker gets ahold of one password, it won’t affect every private account you own. However, keeping track of all those passwords can be a doozy, which is why password managers are so helpful.
Passkeys are starting to gain more and more steam, and some of you might be wondering whether you should ditch your password managers altogether. Let’s dive into why passkeys are so useful and how you can use both.
What is a passkey?
Representatives from Apple, Google, and Microsoft collaborated with FIDO Alliance to conceive the concept of a passkey. With passkeys, you can sign in to apps and websites with a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition, PIN, or pattern, freeing you from having to remember and manage passwords.
A passkey consists of a key pair. One key is public, registered with the website or app you’re using. The other key is private, held only by your devices. Think of it like this, A passkey is like having a pair of keys. One key is like a special code that everyone can know and use, and it’s registered with the website or app you’re using. The other key is like a secret key that only your devices have, and it’s not shared with anyone else.
Furthermore, passkeys let you sync across all your devices using a cloud service. The cloud service (iCloud, Google, etc.) keeps a copy of your credential, offering an easier way for you to log into your accounts wherever you are.
Credit: FIDO Alliance
Apple Passkey
Apple introduced the idea of Passkeys with its latest iOS 16 update, allowing iPhone users to save their login information when signing into an account and then using Face ID to be able to log back in again later.
Credit: Apple
Along with Apple, earlier this month, Google also began rolling out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms.
MORE: GOOGLE TOLD ME TO CHANGE MY PASSWORD, SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
Credit: Google
Should I stop using my password manager?
No, you should not stop using your password manager just yet. Passkeys are a very new concept, and not every website accepts them yet. So abandoning your password manager altogether would not be the best idea just yet.
For those not yet using a password manager, it is an app or software that helps you create, store, and manage your passwords in one place. With a password manager, you don’t have to worry about remembering complex passwords or typing them in whenever you want to log in. Instead, you only need to remember one master password to access your accounts.
Plus, most password managers come with a built-in password generator that can create strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. Also, I believe trusted password managers are still the safest and most secure way to keep track of all your passwords.
What qualities should I look for in a password manager?
When it comes to choosing the best password manager for you, here are some of my top tips.
- Deploys secure
- Works seamlessly across all of your devices
- Creates unique complicated passwords that are different for every account
- Automatically populates login and password fields for apps and sites you revisit
- Has a browser extension for all browsers you use to automatically insert passwords for you
- Allows a failsafe in case the primary password is ever lost or forgotten
- Checks that your existing passwords remain safe and alerts you if ever compromised
- Uses two-factor authentication security
One of the best password managers out there is 1Password. With no known security breaches or vulnerabilities, 1Password is a solid option as a paid password manager. It utilizes a well-designed interface, which features core components that are expected from premium, paid password managers. At time of publishing, there are 2 plans to choose from::
- $2.99 a month for an individual billed annually, for a total of $35.88/year.
- You can save more with a family option for $60/year – which gives allows you to share a license with 5 family members (making it $1 per person per month).
Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2023 here
MORE: HOW TO PASSWORD-PROTECT YOUR EMAIL MESSAGES
What else can I do to protect myself?
Install antivirus software
Be sure to install antivirus software that will protect you from accidentally clicking malicious links that would install malware, as well as remove any existing malware from your devices.
See my expert review of the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices here:
Turn on 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Make sure it’s difficult for anyone to easily log into any of your accounts. 2-factor Authentication is just an extra shield that will prevent a hacker from getting into your accounts.
Keep your software updated
Keep your software and operating systems updated to better ensure you have the latest security patches.
Have you tried using Passkeys yet? How do you feel about them vs. your password manager? Let us know by commenting below.
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Related:
- Best expert-reviewed password managers
- How to password-protect your email messages
- Apple’s replacement for the password
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