What is Passkeys?
The short answer
Passkeys replace passwords with cryptographic keys stored on a device and unlocked by fingerprint, face or PIN, and cannot be phished or reused.
Passkeys, explained
Sites increasingly offer them as the fastest and safest way to sign in.
Questions people ask about Passkeys
What is Passkeys?
Passkeys replace passwords with cryptographic keys stored on a device and unlocked by fingerprint, face or PIN, and cannot be phished or reused.
Related terms
Two-factor authentication requires a second proof of identity, such as an app code or security key, in addition to a password to log in.
OAuthOAuth is the standard behind sign in with Google, Apple or GitHub, letting a site verify a user through another provider without handling their password.
Website securityWebsite security is protecting a site, its data and its visitors from attacks, through HTTPS, updated software, careful input handling, strong logins and backups.
Cross-site scriptingCross-site scripting is an attack where malicious code is injected into a page and runs in other visitors' browsers, stealing sessions or data.
Part of the Web Encyclopedia by Apex Flow Digital. Definitions are general knowledge, kept current, with no invented statistics.