Apple passkey technology transforms Mac security with biometric authentication, encrypted storage

Apple has introduced passkey technology to enhance security on Mac devices by replacing traditional passwords with biometric authentication and encrypted storage. This new system utilizes public key cryptography, creating unique public and private keys for each account. The public key is stored by the website or app, while the private key remains securely on the user's Mac, protected by biometric features like Touch ID or Face ID. This method prevents phishing attacks and password leaks because no shared secret is transmitted to websites. Passkeys are stored and synced across Apple devices via iCloud Keychain, which is protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning Apple itself cannot access them. The system is designed to be resilient against brute force attacks and offers recovery options if devices are lost, requiring multi-factor verification for access. Setting up passkeys on a Mac is straightforward, requiring iCloud Keychain to be enabled. Users will see the option to create a passkey when signing up for or updating accounts on supported services. Biometric authentication confirms the user's identity, and the passkey is then automatically stored and available on all devices linked to the same Apple ID. Many ... download the app to read more