I’m ditching my passwords. You should too

Passwords suck. They're the simplest to guess if they're easy to remember, but the hardest to recall if they're difficult to crack. Even with the strongest passwords possible, they're ineffective if they become known. As someone who's spent years writing about technology and online security, I can attest that passwords are a major pain point for many of us.

That's why I've started using passkeys instead. It takes just a few minutes to set them up, doesn't cost anything, and can be done using your smartphone or PC. And the best part? Using passkeys is fast and secure. When logging in, you choose the passkey option, then approve the login request with your thumbprint, face scan, or PIN.

The benefits of passkeys go beyond just speed and security, however. They also improve on several key weaknesses of traditional passwords:

• The ever-widening support for passkeys is a major advantage. It's not just the big names like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon - I've started spotting them elsewhere, like on Target.com and other shopping sites, even WhatsApp.
• Passkeys are more secure than passwords because they're less prone to guessing or hacking.
• Auditing your passkeys can be just as important as auditing your passwords. Make sure you're using strong, unique combinations for each device.

But don't worry if you still like the familiarity of passwords - there's no need to drop them entirely. Many sites allow you to have multiple sign-in methods, so you can stick with passwords alongside passkeys. And with our tips on how quickly to shore up your online security, especially when it comes to adding two-factor authentication (2FA), you can create a backup method of login if you ever lose the device or security key with your passkeys.

One potential drawback of using passkeys exclusively is that you'll need multiple devices with them, in case one becomes lost, stolen, or unusable. But for most people, the benefits far outweigh this minor inconvenience. According to Bitwarden's latest survey, over 30 percent of U.S.-based respondents reusing passwords across 11 to 20+ sites or apps - a stark reminder that we need better online security habits.

A simpler, more secure future

With passkeys, there's nothing to remember, no software to manage. And the best part? They're free. As someone who's passionate about helping people understand how to protect themselves online, I'm excited to share this simple yet powerful tool with you.

The author: Alaina Yee

I'm Alaina Yee, a 14-year veteran of technology and video games journalism. Since joining PCWorld in 2016, I've written about everything from CPUs to Chrome, Raspberry Pi to bargain hunting - and currently focus on security, helping people understand how best to protect themselves online.