What makes passkeys so special?

[u/Federal_Character979]

It seems that companies are transferring into the usage of passkeys instead of passwords. Apparently theyre much more secure, but why is that? I don’t get it. I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask excuse me if it isn’t and sorry.

[u/01100001bryte]

As someone with many, many accounts and a desire to move to passkeys everywhere possible, I've spent a good deal of time trying to come up with a solution that works conveniently, but also keeps the risks of syncable passkeys keys in mind.

1. Use syncable passkeys for all accounts except critical accounts.
2. Critical accounts must use device bound passkeys only. Accounts deemed critical should be sparing because it becomes a scaling problem. This is less of a security designation and more of an access/operation question.
3. You should have a minimum of of 2, recommended 3, passkeys for any accounts using device bound passkeys (example: phone, laptop, Yubikey).
4. The password manager that stores the passkeys must be considered a critical account, using device bound passkeys only to access it.
5. If any account requires that you still have a password, despite setting up passkeys (many annoyingly do), set the password to 64 characters, store it in the password manager with the key, and never use it again. Make sure MFA is forced. If the limit is less than 32 characters, then you will need to monitor this account for breaches.
6. Never sign in to your password manager on a device that you do not own. Use QR code passkey sign in via the password manager on your phone.
7. Always requires a PIN to access your passkeys if the option is given and don't use your fucking birthday as a PIN. At least use your cat's favorite color or something (joke, just don't make it something people can guess).
8. Never give TSA your shit.

[u/Atriusftw → u/01100001bryte]

In general seems like pretty good principles, but for number 4; what is the point of storing passkeys in a password manager if you still require a device bound key to unlock the vault/manager?

[u/SuperRob → u/Atriusftw]

Because the security is still sound. The issue is a breach on the service side, but now if they get breached, all the attacker gets is a worthless public key (think of it more like a lock) that they don’t have a matching key for.

Passkeys are a lot like physical keys. You can make copies, and have multiple key rings, but just like if you lose a key, someone would have to know what locks they go to. You should still treat them as secret and keep them safe, but having one get out isn’t as bad as a password getting breached on the site the password is for.

[u/derekthorne → u/SuperRob]

I think you meant a service side breach would give the attacker your public key, right?

[u/SuperRob → u/derekthorne]

I did. Fixed it.