Passkeys

Passkeys are a modern, passwordless authentication method that leverages public key cryptography and biometric data or a PIN to authenticate users securely. They are part of the Web Authentication (WebAuthn) standard and are designed to replace traditional passwords, offering enhanced security and a better user experience. What is a passkey? A passkey is a strong, passwordless authentication method that uses public key cryptography and biometric data or a PIN. Unlike passwords, passkeys cannot be stolen or guessed, making them a more secure option for user authentication. ...

Passkeys have been a game-changer in the world of identity and access management (IAM). They offer a secure, passwordless method of authentication using FIDO2 standards and WebAuthn APIs. However, implementing them in a production environment can be tricky. This guide will walk you through the process, sharing insights and tips based on real-world experience. The Problem Traditional password-based authentication is fraught with issues: weak passwords, phishing attacks, and credential stuffing. Passkeys aim to solve these problems by leveraging public-key cryptography and biometric verification, providing a seamless and secure login experience. ...

Password management has always been a headache. Remembering complex passwords, dealing with password resets, and securing sensitive data—these tasks can be cumbersome and insecure. Enter passkeys and WebAuthn, the future of passwordless authentication. These technologies promise to simplify user authentication while enhancing security. In this post, I’ll walk you through the challenges, solutions, and practical implementation steps. The Problem: Password Fatigue and Security Risks Traditional password-based systems suffer from several issues: ...

Why This Matters Now Visual Overview: sequenceDiagram participant User participant SPA as Single Page App participant AuthServer as Authorization Server SPA->>SPA: 1. Generate code_verifier & code_challenge SPA->>AuthServer: 2. Auth Request + code_challenge AuthServer->>User: 3. Login Page User->>AuthServer: 4. Authenticate AuthServer->>SPA: 5. Authorization Code SPA->>AuthServer: 6. Token Request + code_verifier AuthServer->>AuthServer: 7. Verify: SHA256(code_verifier) == code_challenge AuthServer->>SPA: 8. Access Token Last week, researchers at SquareX revealed a critical flaw in the passkey authentication mechanism, specifically targeting the WebAuthn protocol. This vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass passkey-based login security, even when strong authentication methods like Face ID are used. As passkeys are increasingly adopted by major tech companies, understanding and mitigating this risk is crucial. ...