Passkeys vs Passwords: WebAuthn Basics

Subtitle: A shared secret vs a private key that never leaves your device

Left column - PASSWORD:

A secret you and the server share Server stores a slow salted hash You can be tricked into typing it Humans reuse it across many sites One breach leaks a login to steal

Right column - PASSKEY (WebAuthn):

A key pair created on your device Server stores only the public key Private key never leaves the device Tied to one site origin, fakes fail Nothing worth stealing in the database

Simple difference:

Password = prove you know a secret Passkey = prove you hold a key

Use it when - PASSWORD: legacy apps, shared kiosk, no user device Use it when - PASSKEY: consumer login, high-value accounts, stop phishing

Sticky note - Common beginner mistake:

Thinking a passkey is just a password saved in the cloud. It is a private key that signs a fresh random challenge, so there is nothing to phish or replay.