Passwords, long the primary gateway to online accounts, are facing their biggest challenge yet as major tech companies shift toward more secure login methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and passkeys. Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, and TikTok are leading efforts to eliminate traditional passwords through the Fast Identity Online Alliance (FIDO), citing their vulnerability to hacking, phishing, and massive data leaks. The recent discovery of an enormous database containing 16 billion stolen login credentials fueled calls for change. Microsoft now provides password-free logins by default for new users, while other platforms are incorporating multi-factor authentication.
While security experts emphasize the benefits of passkeys, such as their resistance to phishing attacks, they acknowledge that the transition away from passwords will be complex. Many websites still use basic username-password systems, and users may find biometric or device-based setups unfamiliar. Restoring access after losing a trusted device is more challenging than resetting a password. Experts warn that as smartphones and devices become the primary means of security, they will be prime targets for cybercriminals, making strong personal device security essential. #CyberSecurity #Passwordless #OnlineSecurity #DataProtection #Passkeys #FIDOAlliance #DigitalSecurity #CyberThreats #BiometricLogin #TechNews #PhishingProtection #AccountSecurity #MicrosoftSecurity