How Passkeys Protect Against Phishing

Introduction: The Rising Threat of Phishing

Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, exploiting human vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information. Traditional authentication methods like passwords and SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) are no longer sufficient. With over 13 billion leaked passwords available on the darknet, the need for secure authentication is more critical than ever. This is where passkeys, based on the WebAuthn standard, come into play, offering a robust defense against phishing.

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Understanding Phishing

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack designed to trick victims into revealing confidential information. Common types include:

• Email Phishing: Fraudulent emails that appear legitimate.
• Spear Phishing: Targeted attacks on specific individuals or organizations.
• Whaling: Targeting high-profile individuals like executives.
• Smishing: Phishing via SMS text messages.
• Vishing: Voice phishing through phone calls.
• Clone Phishing: Duplicating legitimate emails with malicious links.
• Pharming: Redirecting users to fake websites by exploiting DNS vulnerabilities.
• Man-in-the-Middle Phishing: Intercepting and altering communications.
• Social Media Phishing: Using fake profiles to gather personal information.
• Malvertising: Malicious advertisements leading to phishing sites.
• Search Engine Phishing: Fake websites appearing in search results.
• Pop-Up Phishing: Fake pop-ups on legitimate websites.

Vulnerabilities of Traditional Authentication Methods

Traditional methods like passwords and SMS-based 2FA are prone to phishing attacks. These methods rely on shared secrets, which can be easily intercepted or tricked out of users. The rise of remote work and digital reliance has further expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals.

Why Passkeys Are Phishing-Resistant

1. Binding to Origin: Passkeys are tied to a specific origin (Relying Party ID), preventing use on unauthorized sites.
2. Public Key Cryptography: Passkeys use a public-private key pair, with the private key never leaving the device, eliminating interception risks.
3. Elimination of Common Phishing Vectors: Passkeys cannot be written down or shared, reducing the risk of phishing.
4. Device-Specific Security: Each passkey is unique to the device and account, ensuring secure authentication.
5. Unique Passkeys for Each Account: Prevents credential reuse across services, reducing the impact of data breaches.
6. Secure Cross-Device Authentication: Uses QR codes and encrypted connections for secure sign-in on new devices.
7. User Interaction Required: Biometric or PIN verification adds an extra layer of security.
8. Compliance with NIST Guidelines: Recognized as phishing-resistant, offering strong security standards.

Conclusion: Enhancing Security with Passkeys

Passkeys provide a robust solution to phishing by leveraging public key cryptography and binding to origin. This makes them an essential tool for developers and product managers looking to enhance security and user experience.

Find out more about implementing passkeys and using their phishing-resistance in our detailed blog post.