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Home / Glossary / Passkey
Glossary · Security

Passkey

In plain language

A way to sign in with your fingerprint, face or device PIN in place of a password.

The metaphor

Like a key cut to fit one lock only: it works at the right door and is useless anywhere else.

Going deeper

How it works

  • The device holds a secret key, and the site holds the matching public one.
  • You prove yourself to the device with a fingerprint, face or PIN.
  • A fake site cannot trick the passkey, because it only works for the real address.
  • Support is growing across Microsoft, Google and many other sites.

How WILDCARD handles it

Password Manager and Cloud cover sign-in security: unique strong passwords and MFA.

In practice
  • A bookkeeper signs in to Microsoft 365 with her laptop's fingerprint reader.
  • A clinic enables passkeys on the practice's Google accounts.
  • A consultancy keeps a spare security key in the safe.

A question owners ask

What happens if I lose the phone that holds my passkey? Passkeys can sync to your password manager or account, and you keep a recovery method. Set up the recovery first.

Where WILDCARD handles this
Password
Manager
  • Encrypted team vaults
  • Strong passwords, health reports
  • Setup and training included
Start with Password ManagerMeet Password Manager →
Cloud
Start with Cloud
Related terms
AAAAuthentication, Authorization, and AccountingAccount takeoverACLAccess Control ListAdmin accountAESAdvanced Encryption StandardAES-256Advanced Encryption Standards 256-bitAIArtificial IntelligenceAPIApplication Programming Interface

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