How Passwords Work
When you log into a website with a password, you're telling the website, "I know the secret code to get in!" You type it in, and if it matches what the website has stored, you’re let in. But sometimes that secret code gets stolen, like when someone sneaks a peek at your key while you're unlocking the door.
How Passkeys Work
Passkeys are like having a fingerprint or a face scan that only you have. When you log in with a passkey, your phone or computer checks if it's really you, and then it sends a special message to the website, no need for typing anything! It’s faster and safer because even if someone steals your phone, they still can’t get in without your fingerprint.
FIDO (Fast Identity Online) is like the superhero that makes passkeys work so well. It helps websites and devices talk to each other in a smart way, no more remembering long passwords! Passwords are like keys you carry around, you have to remember them and put them in a lock every time. Passkeys are like having a special key that only you can use, and it lives right on your phone or computer.
Examples
- A password is like a secret code you remember, while a passkey is like a special key that unlocks your device automatically.
- You type in a password every time you log on, but with a passkey, you just tap your phone to sign in.
- FIDO makes it easier for your phone or computer to recognize you without needing a password.
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See also
- How Can a Single Password Unlock So Many Websites?
- What are passwords?
- How Does Security Mechanisms Work?
- How Are Prime Numbers Used In Cryptography?
- How Does Terrifying warning sign': Anthropic delays AI model over security concerns Work?