Why Are Passkeys Better Than Passwords?

Why Are Passkeys Better Than Passwords?#

Passkeys are better than passwords because they offer superior security, ease of use, and are resistant to common cyberattacks like phishing and credential stuffing. Passkeys are cryptographic keys that are stored securely on a user's device, making them impossible to steal or reuse like traditional passwords.

Passkeys are more secure than passwords due to their cryptographic nature and resistance to phishing attacks.
Passkeys simplify the user authentication process, eliminating the need to remember complex passwords.
Passkeys enhance user experience by providing a faster and more seamless login experience.

What Makes Passkeys More Secure?#

Passkeys use public key cryptography, which means they don’t transmit sensitive information over the internet. When a user logs in with a passkey, their device uses a private key to sign a challenge provided by the server. The server then verifies this signature with the user’s public key. This method ensures that only the legitimate user can authenticate, and even if an attacker intercepts the communication, they can’t gain access without the private key.

Passkeys are resistant to:

Phishing: Since passkeys do not involve entering a shared secret (like a password) into a website, phishing attacks that trick users into revealing their credentials are ineffective.
Credential stuffing: Even if other accounts are compromised, passkeys cannot be reused or stolen, as they are unique to each service and device.
Data breaches: In the event of a server breach, attackers cannot retrieve passkeys because they do not reside on the server.

How Do Passkeys Improve User Experience?#

Passkeys streamline the authentication process. Users no longer need to create, remember, or manage multiple passwords. Instead, their device handles the authentication seamlessly:

Faster Logins: Logging in with a passkey is quick, often involving just a biometric verification (like a fingerprint or facial recognition).
No Password Fatigue: Users are spared the frustration of remembering complex passwords or dealing with frequent password resets.
Cross-Device Usability: Passkeys can be synchronized across multiple devices, allowing users to log in from any device they own without the hassle of transferring or typing passwords.

Why Should You Consider Implementing Passkeys?#

For developers and product managers, implementing passkeys can significantly enhance the security and user experience of your application:

Enhanced Security: By integrating passkeys, you protect your users from common attacks like phishing and credential stuffing.
User Retention: Improved login experiences can lead to higher user retention and satisfaction, as users appreciate the convenience and security of passkeys.
Future-Proofing: As the industry moves towards passwordless authentication, adopting passkeys positions your application as a leader in modern security practices.

About Corbado

Corbado is the Passkey Intelligence Platform for CIAM teams running consumer authentication at scale. We help you see what IDP logs and generic analytics tools can't: which devices, OS versions, browsers and credential managers support passkeys, why enrollments don't turn into logins, where the WebAuthn flow fails and when an OS / browser update silently breaks login, all without replacing Okta, Auth0, Ping, Cognito or your in-house IDP. Two products: Corbado Observe layers observability for passkeys and any other login method. Corbado Connect adds managed passkeys with analytics built in (alongside your IDP). VicRoads runs passkeys for 5M+ users with Corbado (+80% passkey activation). Talk to a Passkey Expert →