Millions must check Google settings now – it could save you from major danger
AN AMAZING new Google feature lets you ditch passwords for a safer alternative.
Passwords are famously dangerous (even if you have a strong one), but a new Google Chrome update ushers in a password-less future.
The latest Google Chrome update now lets you use passkeys.
They're designed as a significantly safer replacement to passwords.
"Passwords are typically the first line of defense in our digital lives," said Google's Ali Sarraf, a product manager for Chrome.
"However, they are at risk of being phished, leaked in data breaches, and even suffering poor password hygiene.
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"Google has long recognized these issues, which is why we have created defenses like 2-Step Verification and Google Password Manager."
The problem with passwords is that they're often re-used and can be leaked.
So even if you choose very strong passwords, it doesn't necessarily protect you.
And you could ultimately be "phished" by a trickster who convinces you to unwittingly hand them your info.
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Passkeys work using the authentication system you'd use to unlock your device.
So rather than saving a password for a website, you can simply unlock it with face- or fingerprint-scanning.
There's no password that you have to remember.
And passkeys are an industry standard, so they work on both Android and iOS devices.
You can also use your passkey from a nearby phone if you're trying to log on using a desktop device.
"A passkey doesn't leave your mobile device when signing in like this," Google explained.
"Only a securely generated code is exchanged with the site so, unlike a password, there's nothing that could be leaked."
You'll be prompted to try passkeys whenever you sign up to a website that allows them.
Check your favourite websites and apps to see if they offer passkey support.
And then go into your Google Chrome settings to manage your saved passkeys.
Sadly not every website supports passkeys yet.
But they'll become increasingly popular over time, so you'll find that more websites offer the option.
It helps that Apple and Microsoft are also pushing passkeys, with iPhone recently adding support for them in iOS 16.
"Our goal is to keep you as safe as possible on the web and we’re excited for what the passkeys future holds," Google explained.
"Enabling passkeys to be used in Chrome is a major milestone, but our work is not done.
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"It will take time for this technology to be widely adopted across sites and we are working on enabling passkeys on iOS and Chrome OS.
"Passwords will continue to be part of our lives as we make this transition, so we’ll remain dedicated to making conventional sign-ins safer and easier through Google Password Manager."
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