Apple has finally done it. The tech giant is launching iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, which will include changes to how we interact with our phones and computers, including removing the password.
Your passwords are terrible; after every data breach, the most common password is 123456 (or 123456789, and 12345, qwerty). Additionally, passwords like qwerty or password are easy to remember but easily hacked. Weak and repeated passwords are one of the most significant risks to your online life.
Experts predict that by 2022, millions of people will be able to move away from passwords. This is due to a more secure, password-free future. Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference announced that starting in September, Apple will eliminate passwords for Macs and iPhones. Instead, logins will be passwordless and done through Passkeys. This marks the first major real-world shift to password elimination for many authentication systems.
So how does Apple’s passwordless life work?
You can sign up for new websites using Passkeys rather than passwords, using fingerprint or facial recognition. When creating an account, you only need to verify your identity before completing the signup process. When you log in to that website again, Passkeys allow you to prove who you are by using your biometrics rather than typing in a passphrase (or having your password manager enter it for you). When signing in to a website on a Mac, a prompt will appear on your iPhone or iPad to verify your identity.
Apple has designed a system for end-to-end authentication using public-private key authentication to create simple, secure Passkeys. Your Passkeys will sync by iCloud Keychain and can’t be read by any device, including Apple’s servers.
A passwordless system would be a significant step forward for most people’s online security. As well as eliminating guessable passwords, removing passwords reduces the likelihood of successful phishing attacks. And passwords can’t be stolen in data breaches if they don’t exist. (Some apps and websites allow people to log in using their fingerprints or face recognition, but these usually require you to create an account with a password.)
Apple’s newest invention for the elimination of passwords, Passkeys, are becoming popular. The actual name for this invention is elimination-of-passwords and will be the FIDO Alliance’s first invention in ten years.
Recent months have seen FIDO integrating a new strategy to negate the use of passwords with “multi-device FIDO credentials” or “passkeys.”
Three major tech companies have adopted the FIDO standards, making security online more effective. Microsoft has removed passwords for its users, and Google has been working on its passwordless technology since 2008.
The security system should be cross-compatible once all the tech companies have allowed the use of ID keys, which should be possible across different devices. Apple is the first company to start rolling out this new kind of login, which will soon affect consumers worldwide.
There are unanswered questions about what would happen to a user’s Passkey if they were to leave Apple’s ecosystem. However, If the popular consumer demand for secure passwordless payments continues, Apple will be forced to brand itself inclusively. It must be safer, easier, and faster to gain people’s trust in any system than traditional methods. Developers will need to update the apps and websites they create for Passkey compatibility, and people will be on high alert for anything that is clunky or takes excessive time. They may continue using a weak but convenient password instead of giving up their personal information for a more secure account.
What kind of passwords shall we use until then?
It might be a while before Apple, Microsoft, and Google release their Passkey app, but that doesn’t mean you should keep using your weak or repeated passwords. It is best to use a solid and different password for every account, even for single-use accounts. It is also advised not to use common phrases and personal information that can be linked to you. Passwords should be lengthy, complex, and evolve regularly to stay secure. The best way to keep these elaborate passwords secure is with a quality password manager, which can be found through our recommendations. For added security, turn on multi-factor authentication for all of your accounts that allow it.
Conclusion
Apple’s new iOS 16 and macOS Ventura operating systems are set to revolutionize how we interact with our devices. The most notable change is password removal, which will make accessing our phones and computers easier and faster. Other changes include new ways to manage our apps and files and improved security features. With these new changes, Apple is making it clear that they are committed to making its products more user-friendly and accessible for everyone.