Introduction

Passwords have long been the foundation of online authentication, but they come with major security risks and usability problems. From phishing attacks to forgotten credentials, passwords create friction for users and increase IT burden.

Now, companies are shifting toward passwordless authentication—a more secure and seamless way to log in that eliminates passwords entirely. Organizations like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are already adopting passkeys and WebAuthn-based authentication, making passwordless security the new standard.

This guide will explore what passwordless authentication is, why companies are moving away from passwords, and how to implement a secure, frictionless authentication system.

What Is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication allows users to verify their identity without using a traditional password. Instead, authentication happens through:

• Biometrics (Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello)
• Hardware security keys (YubiKey, Titan Security Key, smart cards)
• Passkeys (WebAuthn-based credentials that sync across devices)
• Magic links (email-based one-time login links)
• Authenticator apps (one-tap approvals instead of passwords)

Unlike traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA), where a password is still part of the process, passwordless authentication removes passwords entirely. This means there are no credentials to phish, no password resets, and fewer attack vectors for hackers to exploit.

Why Companies Are Moving Away From Passwords

Security Risks of Passwords

According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, 81% of hacking-related breaches involve stolen or weak passwords. Common vulnerabilities include:

• Phishing attacks—Hackers trick users into revealing credentials.
• Credential stuffing—Reused passwords are tested across multiple services.
• Brute-force attacks—Automated tools guess weak passwords.

Friction in User Experience

Passwords are not just insecure; they are inconvenient. Users often forget passwords, leading to:

• Frequent password resets, which disrupt workflows.
• High support costs for IT teams managing password-related tickets.
• Poor user experience, with complex password policies frustrating customers.

Passwordless as a Solution

With passwordless authentication, users no longer have to remember credentials. Instead, authentication relies on possession-based (a security key) or biometric-based (fingerprint or facial recognition) verification, making logins faster and more secure.

Common Passwordless Authentication Methods (Pros & Cons)

Magic Links

How it works: A user enters their email, receives a one-time login link, and clicks it to access their account.

Pros:

• Easy to implement.
• No need for extra hardware.

Cons:

• Security depends on email access.
• Susceptible to email phishing.

Authenticator Apps (Push-Based Authentication)

How it works: Users approve logins via an authentication app (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator).

Pros:

• More secure than passwords.
• Prevents phishing attempts.

Cons:

• Requires access to a mobile device.
• Users may lose access if they change devices.

Passkeys & WebAuthn (FIDO2 Authentication)

How it works: Users authenticate with biometrics (Face ID, Touch ID) or a passkey stored on their device.

Pros:

• Phishing-resistant.
• No passwords or secrets to steal.

Cons:

• Not yet universally supported across all apps.
• Users may need fallback authentication methods.

Hardware Security Keys (YubiKeys, Smart Cards)

How it works: A physical key is required for authentication.

Pros:

• Highest level of security.
• Prevents credential theft completely.

Cons:

• Users must keep the key with them at all times.
• May not be ideal for consumer-facing applications.

Is Passwordless Authentication More Secure Than MFA?

A common question from security professionals is: “Is passwordless authentication actually more secure than mandatory 2FA?”

The short answer is yes, but it depends on the implementation. Traditional MFA still relies on passwords, which means:

• SMS-based 2FA can be intercepted through SIM swapping attacks.
• TOTP codes from authenticator apps can be phished.
• Users can still fall victim to credential stuffing attacks.

With passwordless authentication (WebAuthn, passkeys, or security keys):

• No passwords are stored or exchanged.
• FIDO2 authentication is phishing-proof—even if an attacker tries to trick a user into logging into a fake website, authentication won’t work.
• Google reduced phishing attacks to zero internally after adopting security keys for all employees.

How to Implement Passwordless Authentication in Your App

If you’re a developer or business owner looking to implement passwordless authentication, here’s how you can get started.

1. Enable WebAuthn for Biometric or Passkey Logins

WebAuthn is the industry standard for secure, passwordless logins. Below is an example implementation:

navigator.credentials.create({
  publicKey: {
    challenge: new Uint8Array([/* server-generated challenge */]),
    rp: { name: "Example App" },
    user: { id: new Uint8Array(16), name: "user@example.com", displayName: "User" },
    pubKeyCredParams: [{ alg: -7, type: "public-key" }],
  }
}).then((credential) => {
  console.log("User authenticated successfully", credential);
}).catch((err) => {
  console.error("Error during authentication", err);
});
 

2. Implement FIDO2-Based Authentication for Phishing-Resistant Logins

Security keys like YubiKeys support FIDO2 authentication, which ensures that credentials cannot be stolen or reused.

3. Allow Backup Methods for Account Recovery

Since users may lose their devices, provide secure backup authentication options:

• Register multiple passkeys on different devices.

• Use admin-initiated recovery codes.

• Offer secure fallback authentication (e.g., trusted contact verification).

4. Educate Users on the Benefits of Passwordless Authentication

Switching to passwordless authentication requires user education. Ensure your users understand:

• How to set up and use passkeys.

• Why phishing-resistant authentication is safer than passwords.

• How to recover access if they lose their authentication device.

The Future of Passwordless Authentication

Big tech companies are making passkeys the default authentication method, signaling a shift toward phishing-resistant authentication as the new standard. Key trends include:

• Apple, Google, and Microsoft implementing passkey synchronization across devices.

• Increased adoption of WebAuthn and FIDO2 security keys.

• Regulatory bodies adjusting security requirements to accommodate passwordless authentication.

As passwordless authentication becomes more widely adopted, businesses that integrate secure, frictionless login solutions will have a competitive edge.

Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

Passwordless authentication is the future of secure, seamless logins. It eliminates phishing risks, reduces IT overhead, and provides a smoother user experience.

For businesses looking to simplify authentication, Update makes it easy to integrate passwordless authentication with built-in support for passkeys, WebAuthn, and device-based authentication.

If you're ready to move beyond passwords and adopt phishing-resistant security, now is the time to make the switch.