Passkeys are an industry standard developed by the FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium, and were integrated into Apple’s ecosystem with iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura. They offer a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional passwords, allowing users to sign in to apps and websites in the same way they unlock their devices: With a fingerprint, a face scan, or a passcode. Passkeys are also resistant to online attacks like phishing, making them more secure than things like SMS one-time codes.

The draft specifications, called Credential Exchange Protocol (CXP) and Credential Exchange Format (CXF), will standardize the secure transfer of credentials across different providers. This addresses a current limitation where passkeys are often tied to specific ecosystems or password managers.

For Apple users, the development could significantly enhance the utility of passkeys across their devices and services. Once implemented, users may be able to securely move their passkeys between Apple’s built-in password management system and third-party password managers, and event to non-Apple platforms. It’s worth noting that the new specifications are currently open for community review and feedback, so it could be a while before we see them implemented and the specifications could change in the meantime.

This article, "FIDO Alliance Working on Making Passkeys Portable Across Platforms" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Passkeys support was introduced by X earlier this year, but the option was limited to iOS users based in the United States. Now anyone on the social media platform can use them.

Passkeys are both easier to use and more secure than passwords because they let users sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their devices: With Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode. Passkeys are also resistant to online attacks like phishing, making them more secure than things like SMS one-time codes.

Apple integrated passkeys into iOS in 2022 with the launch of iOS 16, and it is also available in iPadOS 16.1 and later as well as macOS Ventura and later.

To set up passkeys in X on ‌iPhone‌, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the X app.
2. Click Your account in the navigation bar.
3. Select Settings and privacy, then click Security and account access, then Security.
4. Under Additional password protection, click Passkey.
5. Enter your password when prompted.
6. Select Add a passkey and follow the prompts.

X is just one of several companies to implement support for passkeys in recent months, with other supporting apps and websites including Google, PayPal, Best Buy, eBay, Dashlane, and Microsoft.

This article, "X Rolls Out Passkeys Support to iPhone Users Worldwide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple’s Privacy-Focused Approach

Apple’s commitment to privacy is deeply ingrained in its company culture and product development process. The company adheres to several key principles:

• Privacy by Design: Privacy is considered from the outset of product development, ensuring that privacy protections are built into every aspect of the product.
• Transparency and Control: Users have full transparency into how their data is collected and used, and they have granular control over how their information is shared.
• Security and Innovation: Apple employs industry-leading security measures to protect user data and continuously innovates to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Key Privacy-Protecting Features

Apple has implemented several innovative features to safeguard user privacy:

• App Tracking Transparency (ATTransparency): ATTransparency gives users the choice whether to allow apps to track their activity across websites and apps. This empowers users to make informed decisions about their privacy.
• Mail Privacy Protection: This feature masks users’ IP addresses and prevents senders from tracking whether emails have been opened or read. It also prevents companies from using invisible pixels to track users’ online behavior.
• Safari Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP): ITP disrupts the tracking mechanisms used by third-party websites to follow users across the web. This helps protect users’ privacy and anonymity while browsing.
• Passkeys: Passkeys are a new type of passwordless authentication that is more secure and convenient than traditional passwords. They are stored on the device and never shared with websites or services.

Impact of Apple’s Privacy Commitment

Apple’s commitment to privacy has had a significant impact on the industry:

1. Raised Privacy Standards: Apple has set a high standard for privacy in the tech industry, encouraging other companies to adopt more robust privacy protections.
2. Increased User Awareness: Apple’s transparency about its privacy practices has raised awareness among consumers about the importance of data privacy.
3. Influenced Policymaking: Apple’s efforts have been a driving force behind privacy legislation and regulations around the world.

Conclusion

Apple’s commitment to data privacy and security is a testament to its belief that privacy is a fundamental human right. The company’s innovative approach and its willingness to stand up for user privacy have set a high standard for the industry and have made a positive impact on the lives of millions of people around the world. As we continue to navigate the digital world, Apple’s commitment to privacy will serve as a beacon of hope for those who value their personal information and seek to protect it from unauthorized access and misuse.

Passkey integration is set to be introduced at some point today, and users will be able to log in and authenticate their accounts with Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode on an iPhone.

Passkeys are considered more convenient and secure than a traditional password, with sign-ins streamlined through biometric authentication. Passkeys are resistant to online attacks such as phishing because there’s no password to steal and no one-time SMS code that can be intercepted.

Apple has supported passkeys since 2022, and passkeys are available on iOS 16 and later, iPadOS 16 and later, and macOS Ventura and later.

Many companies have been implementing support for passkeys, including Twitter, Google, PayPal, Best Buy, Microsoft, and eBay.

This article, "PlayStation Adds Support for Passkeys as Password Alternative" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Passkeys are both easier to use and more secure than passwords because they let users sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their devices: With Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode. Passkeys are also resistant to online attacks like phishing, making them more secure than things like SMS one-time codes.

Apple integrated passkeys into iOS in 2022 with the launch of iOS 16, and it is also available in iPadOS 16.1 and later as well as macOS Ventura and later.

To set up passkeys in X, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the X app.
2. Click Your account in the navigation bar.
3. Select Settings and privacy, then click Security and account access, then Security.
4. Under Additional password protection, click Passkey.
5. Enter your password when prompted.
6. Select Add a passkey and follow the prompts.

X says passkeys are currently only rolling out to iPhone users in the U.S., and hasn’t said when the feature will be extended to other platforms and countries.

X is just one of several companies to implement support for passkeys over the past year, with other supporting apps and websites including Google, PayPal, Best Buy, eBay, Dashlane, and Microsoft.

This article, "X for iOS Adds Support for Passkeys, Allowing for More Secure Logins" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Passkey support would allow iPhone users to sign in to WhatsApp with Face ID, Touch ID, or the device’s passcode. Passkeys are stored in iCloud Keychain. To use passkeys on the iPhone, the device must be updated to iOS 16 or later.

“Passkeys are more secure than passwords, because they’re uniquely generated for every account by your own device, and are less vulnerable to phishing,” says Apple. “And they work on all your devices that are signed in to the same Apple ID.”

It’s unclear when WhatsApp plans to make this functionality available to the public, but it started rolling out passkey support for Android earlier this month.

Many apps are starting to implement passkey support, including Amazon last week.

This article, "WhatsApp Working on Passkey Support on iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Passkeys are a more secure alternative to passwords because a passkey cannot be shared with another person through a phishing attempt or leaked online through a database hack. Passkeys do not require customers to remember a password or add a two-factor authentication code, but they do require a verified device.

Passkeys can be set up in the Amazon settings, and on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, logging in to an Amazon account can be done with a Face ID or Touch ID scan once the feature is turned on. To enable it, go to Your Account > Login and Security, and choose the Set up option next to Passkeys.

Apple implemented support for passkeys with iOS 16 and macOS Ventura. Passkeys work through a public key that’s stored on a website server and paired with a private key that’s kept on a specific device. On Apple’s devices, passkeys are authenticated with ‌Face ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌, and two keys must match to allow for a user to log in.

Passkeys rely on iCloud Keychain, which in turn requires two-factor authentication for further protection. Passkeys sync across all of a user’s ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac devices, but they can also be used on non-Apple devices through a QR code system.

Amazon says that passkey support is available today for all Amazon customers using browsers, and that it will be rolling out to the Amazon app for iOS devices in the near future.

This article, "Amazon Adds Support for Passkeys, Allowing for More Secure Logins" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Passkeys are an industry standard developed by the FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium, so TikTok’s passkey integration will work on Apple devices as well as on other devices that support the feature.

Passkeys are both easier to use and more secure than passwords because they let users sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their devices: With a fingerprint, a face scan or a screen lock PIN.

Apps using passkeys, including TikTok, cannot access or process any of the biometric data used in the authentication process on iOS devices, and all biometric authentication data remains on users’ devices. Passkeys are also resistant to online attacks like phishing, making them more secure than things like SMS one-time codes.

Passkeys on iOS and Mac devices sync with iCloud Keychain for security purposes, and logins are authenticated with Face ID or Touch ID. This protects you from being locked out of your account in case you lose your devices, and makes it easier for you to upgrade from one device to another. Two-factor authentication must also be switched on for an Apple ID.

TikTok says it will begin rolling out passkeys for iOS in Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America beginning this month, and anticipates expanding in geographies and operating systems over time. TikTok users with access to the login option can enable it by going to their Profile at the bottom of the app and then accessing “Settings and privacy” in the Menu. From there, access the Account option and then tap ‌iCloud‌ passkey to enter the setup screen.

This article, "TikTok Announces Passkey Login Support for iOS Devices" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums