Google reveals plan to make passwords ‘obsolete’ and urges users to try new alternative this week with pop-up alert

GOOGLE is now urging users to delete their passwords and replace them with passkeys instead.

The tech giant is making a new push to have people ditch passwords – to save you from devastating hack attacks.

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For most of the world, logging in to a website or app means inputting a password.

But passwords are considered dangerous by cybersecurity experts.

People often opt for simple passwords and re-use them across websites, which makes them prime targets for cybercriminals.

And even if you choose a strong and unique password, it could still be hacked or leaked.

By comparison, a passkey lets you log in using the same technique you use to unlock your phone.

So on an iPhone, that might be Face ID or Touch ID – or an equivalent on Android.

And these systems use “secure cryptography” to make sure your passkey can never be leaked.

“We’ve found that one of the most immediate benefits of passkeys is that they spare people the headache of remembering all those numbers and special characters in passwords,” Google said.

“They’re also phishing resistant.”

Google is now making passkeys the default option across personal Google Accounts.

So you’ll soon see a pop-up urging you to try passkeys with Google.

“This means the next time you sign in to your account, you’ll start seeing prompts to create and use passkeys, simplifying your future sign-ins,” Google said.

“It also means you’ll see the ‘Skip password when possible’ option toggled on in your Google Account settings.”

How to use a passkey

First, you’ll need to set up a passkey on your chosen account.

Not all accounts support them, but Google Accounts now do.

Follow the instructions to set one up, and then you’re good to go.

Then when you want to log in, you’ll just need to use a fingerprint, face scan or pin to unlock your device.

You’ll still have the option to use a password for sign-ins, if you prefer.

But eventually, Google hopes that you’ll be able to delete your passwords altogether.

“We know that new technologies take time to catch on — so passwords may be around for a little while,” Google explained.

“We’ll keep you updated on where else you can start using passkeys across other online accounts.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue encouraging the industry to make the pivot to passkeys — making passwords a rarity, and eventually obsolete.”

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk