You will no longer need a password to access Facebook: be ready to use passkeys

123456, 1245, 1111, 0000, password… These are some of the most common passwords in the world (and, therefore, some of the most insecure). You have probably used them at some point, whether it was to activate your mobile phone, access your email, or log into your account on a social network. Perhaps you have even used them on Facebook.

However, in recent years, we are seeing signs that the era of traditional passwords is coming to an end, and the world’s most popular social network has decided to contribute to this change by providing a significant contribution.

Passkeys: the new way to access Facebook

Meta has announced an important step toward improving users’ privacy and security by introducing passkeys on Facebook for mobile devices. Passkeys are a new method to sign in and verify your identity, providing a safer and more user-friendly alternative to traditional passwords. This new functionality, which will soon be available for iOS and Android devices, promises to streamline the login process while protecting user accounts against potential threats.

In doing so, Facebook follows in the footsteps of other digital giants that previously adopted this approach, such as Google in 2023.

What are Passkeys?

Passkeys are secure digital credentials designed to replace traditional passwords. They allow users to sign into applications and websites using their fingerprint, facial recognition, or the PIN of their mobile device, instead of relying on passwords that are easy to guess or steal. This new authentication method not only simplifies the login process, but also enhances security by being resistant to common attacks such as phishing or password spraying.

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As Facebook explains, “Once you have a passkey, you will not need to type your password to access your Facebook account. You will also be able to do things like autofill your payment information.”

And, importantly, once you set up a passkey for Facebook, it will also work on Messenger, which will receive this feature in the coming months. In any case, Meta assures that users may still use traditional authentication methods, such as passwords, for devices that are not yet compatible with passkeys.

Are Passkeys safer than Passwords?

Traditional passwords have long been one of the greatest vulnerabilities in the digital ecosystem, being susceptible to phishing attacks or data breaches. Passkeys address this problem by offering stronger authentication methods. Unlike passwords, which can be easily hacked or guessed, passkeys cannot be stolen or obtained in the same way. This makes them a much safer option, providing greater protection against phishing, password spraying, and other online threats.

Moreover, and this is highly important, passkeys and the biometric data used to generate them, such as fingerprints or facial scans, are stored locally on your device, ensuring that Meta neither views nor stores them.

How to set up your passkey on Facebook

Facebook reminds its users that setting up a passkey is simple and only takes a few steps. You may manage your passkey in the Accounts Center, accessible from the Settings menu on Facebook. If you have not set up a passkey yet, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log in:

• The access key you create in Facebook will use the email address you have confirmed as its name, or your phone number if your email address is not available.
• Facebook assures that “we may ask you to create an access key on your device when we need to confirm your identity,” such as when you log into Facebook or when you autofill your payment information.
• The access key is verified using the same fingerprint, facial scan, or passcode that you use to unlock your device.
• If you delete an access key, in places where you have been using it, you will revert to using alternative authentication methods, such as a password.

Image: Flux Schnell