Going Passwordless

Why Passwords Are Becoming Obsolete

We’ve discussed how passwords can be compromised and why MFA is crucial, but what if you didn’t need passwords?

For decades, passwords have been the weakest link in cybersecurity. They are reused, forgotten, stolen, and phished. Passwordless authentication eliminates these risks by using stronger, faster, and more convenient login methods.

In this guide, we’ll explain passwordless authentication, explain why it matters, and explain how you can start using it today.

1. What is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication lets you log in without needing a password by using:

🔹 Biometrics – Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello (fingerprint or facial recognition).
🔹 Passkeys – Cryptographic keys stored on your device for secure, seamless logins.
🔹 Security Keys – Physical hardware keys like YubiKey or Google Titan Key.
🔹 Magic Links & One-Time Codes – Temporary links or codes sent via email or app verification.

Instead of something you have to remember (a password), passwordless authentication verifies you with something you have (your phone, security key) or something you are (your fingerprint, face scan).

✅ No passwords to remember or reset.
✅ No risk of phishing or password theft.
✅ Faster, more secure logins.

2. Why Go Passwordless? The Key Benefits

Still unsure about ditching passwords? Here’s why passwordless authentication is a game-changer:

✅ No more forgotten passwords – No more struggling to reset logins.
✅ Stronger security – Eliminates weak passwords and phishing risks.
✅ Faster logins – Just scan your fingerprint or tap a security key instead of typing a password.
✅ Less frustration – Say goodbye to account lockouts and endless password resets.
✅ Lower IT costs for businesses – Fewer password-related helpdesk tickets.

The truth is that passwords are inconvenient, risky, and outdated. Passwordless is the future.

3. Where Can You Use Passkeys Today?

Many popular services used by Canadian small businesses now support passkeys, making logins more secure and hassle-free. While banks in Canada do not yet support passkeys, many e-commerce, payment, and productivity platforms do.

Here’s where you can start going passwordless:

🔹 E-commerce & Payments: Shopify, PayPal, Stripe
🔹 Productivity & Collaboration: Microsoft, Google, Discord
🔹 Financial Services: American Express, Coinbase
🔹 Password Managers: 1Password, Dashlane, NordPass
🔹 Cloud Services: Amazon
🔹 Social Media & Marketing: TikTok, WordPress
🔹 Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Zoho

🔹 Coming Soon: As passkey adoption grows, more services—including banks—may support them in the future.

4. What Happens If You Lose Your Device?

🚨 Losing your phone or security key doesn’t mean losing access! Here’s how to stay prepared:

🔹 Set up multiple authentication options – Use a backup device, email recovery, or another security key.
🔹 Revoke lost devices – Go to your account settings to remove lost or stolen devices.
🔹 Use cloud backup for passkeys – Apple, Google, and Microsoft allow you to restore passkeys on new devices.

Pro tip: Just as you wouldn’t carry only one house key, it’s smart to have backup login methods.

5. Best Practices for a Smooth Transition to Passwordless

Want to go passwordless but not sure where to start? Follow these best practices for a secure and seamless transition:

🔹 Start with personal accounts. Enable passkeys on services like Google, Apple, or Microsoft first. Once you're comfortable with this, expand to work and financial accounts.

🔹 Use biometric authentication whenever possible. Set up Face ID, Touch ID, or Windows Hello, as it is fast, secure, and eliminates the hassle of typing in passwords.

🔹 Consider adopting a password manager – During the transition, utilize a password manager that supports passkeys (like 1Password or Dashlane) to securely store your existing passwords.

🔹 Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). For even stronger security, Combine passwordless authentication with MFA. For example, use biometrics along with a security key or an authenticator app.

🔹 Practice good device security – Since many passwordless methods rely on your devices, protect them with strong PINs or passwords and keep them updated.

6. Actionable Steps to Get Started

📌 Want to go passwordless today? Here’s how to start:

1️⃣ Enable Passkeys on Google, Apple, or Microsoft.
2️⃣ Set up biometrics – Face ID, Touch ID, or Windows Hello on your devices.
3️⃣ Use a hardware security key – Get a YubiKey or Google Titan Key.
4️⃣ Check your most-used services – Turn on passwordless login where available.
5️⃣ Keep your accounts secure – Use multiple authentication methods and review your trusted devices regularly.

Pro Tip: Once you set up passkeys, you’ll never have to type a password for those accounts again.

7. Final Thoughts: The Future is Passwordless

🔹 Passwords are outdated, frustrating, and easy to steal.
🔹 Passkeys, biometrics, and security keys offer better security and convenience.
🔹 Most people already have a Google, Apple, or Microsoft account—meaning you can start using passkeys today.

🚀 Your next step? Pick one account and enable passwordless login! It’s the easiest upgrade you can make for your online security.

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