1Password, a popular password manager, is set to introduce passkey support starting June 6th. This feature will allow users to access websites and services without having to type in usernames and passwords. The passkey support will be available for users in beta, and they will need to download the 1Password beta browser extension, which is available for Safari, Firefox, and Chromium-based browsers. However, passkey support for mobile devices is still under development and will not be available with the current beta access.
Passkeys are a form of authentication technology that generates two cryptographic keys: one public and one private, associated with the user’s account. When a user attempts to log in to a service using passkeys, 1Password will use the public key to verify the person’s identity by matching it with the private key. This process ensures stronger security, as passkeys are resistant to phishing attempts. Additionally, since one of the key pairs is stored on the user’s device, login information remains secure even in the event of a data breach.
1Password’s passkey support is developed by the FIDO authentication standards. The fact that 1Password does not rely on Apple’s iCloud passkey support or Google’s Password Manager makes it a better choice for users who use both iOS and Android simultaneously. Moreover, users can also securely share their passkeys with their family members.
Although companies like Google and Apple consider passkeys to be the future, the technology is still relatively new. 1Password maintains a list of sites and services that support passkeys, and it only has 38 entries listed. Therefore, even with more sites adopting passkeys, we still have a long way to go before we eliminate the need for passwords.
