Contents:
Welcome to the passwordless era
Passwords are on the brink of retirement. They have served us well as an authentication method for a long time, no doubt about that. But like all technologies, they are being replaced by the next best thing. Right now, that thing is password-free authentication, already adopted by companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple to allow their customers to log in to their services quickly and securely without passwords.
Other organizations are expected to follow in the footsteps of the big players, especially since they can use free tools like Authopia by NordPass to effortlessly add a passkey-based login option to their website or service. The term “passkey-based” is pivotal here. What exactly are passkeys, and why are they considered the successor to passwords? Let’s dive in and find out.
What are passkeys?
Simply put, passkeys are a new authentication method that allows users to log in to their accounts on websites or services without using passwords. It relies on cryptography to provide secure authentication—sets of cryptographic keys, to be exact. One key, known as the “public” key, is stored on a server, while the other, the “private” key, remains on the user’s device. During the login process, the key from the user’s device is verified against the key stored on the server. If the two keys match, the user is granted access to the account.
Since the keys are generated by the system, there's no need to remember them, which makes the technology much more user-friendly compared to passwords. Moreover, because encryption is used, passkeys offer greater security than even the longest and most complex passwords can provide.
How to enable Amazon passkeys
Setting up passkeys on your Amazon account is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. However, the steps vary slightly depending on whether you are using a desktop or a mobile device. Let's now review the setup process for both options.
Setting up passkeys via the Amazon website (desktop)
Open your web browser and go to amazon.com.
Access your account settings and scroll down to the "Login & Security" section.
Find the option for "Amazon Passkeys" or "Two-Step Verification."
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your passkey settings.
Confirm the setup by scanning a QR code displayed on your computer screen with your mobile device, and authenticate using your mobile device’s biometric features.
To verify that everything is set up correctly, log out and log back in using your newly set passkeys.
Setting up passkeys via the Amazon app (mobile)
Launch the Amazon app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Tap the menu icon and navigate to “Account.”
Select “Login & Security.”
Click on “Set Up” next to the “Passkey” option.
Follow the prompts on your device to authenticate using your fingerprint or facial recognition.
How to sign in with an Amazon passkey
Once enabled, using passkeys to log into your Amazon account is super easy. All you have to do is:
Visit the Amazon website and open the account login form.
Enter your email or mobile number.
Instead of entering your password, click on "Sign in with Amazon passkey."
Enter your passkey, for example, by using a biometrics scanner on your device.
You're securely logged in!
How to delete your Amazon passkey
If for some reason you would like to delete your Amazon passkey, you need to go back to your account settings and navigate to the "Login & Security" section. Once there, select the active passkey and click on "Delete." When you confirm your choice, your passkey will be removed and your account will revert to the traditional password login option.
Can you use Amazon passkeys on multiple devices?
As a matter of fact, yes, Amazon passkeys can be used on multiple devices. Once you enable a passkey, it's stored in your cloud service account, so you can use it across all linked devices. Therefore, when you access Amazon from another device using the same cloud service account, the passkey should automatically appear as a login option.
Effectively store and manage your passkeys with NordPass
If you want to be passwordless and start using passkeys to log in to your Amazon and other accounts, you need a solution that will allow you to store and manage your passkeys effectively. One such solution is NordPass.
Although primarily known as a password manager, NordPass fully supports passkeys and was one of the first tools of its kind to do so. This means you can now use it to create, store, and manage your passkeys with ease, significantly improving your login experience in terms of both security and convenience.
In other words, NordPass allows you to keep all your passkeys in an encrypted vault accessible only to you. And since NordPass is available on Android and Apple devices, you can quickly access your passkeys anytime, from any device.
So, if you’re ready to move away from traditional passwords and embrace the latest passwordless technology, NordPass can help you get started. Give it a try and see the difference for yourself.