Hack of the day: Swap passwords for passkeys where possible

'The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple terms, it's simple fixes for smarter living.Passwords have long been the weak link in online security — they’re easy to forget, often reused, and highly vulnerable to phishing attacks. A smarter alternative is emerging: passkeys. Instead of typing a password, you sign in using your device’s unlock method, such as your PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition. This makes logging in both easier and significantly harder for attackers to compromise. Passkeys are stored securely and tied to your personal device, offering a seamless and safer way to access apps and websites.* Eliminates the hassle of remembering multiple passwords.* Reduces phishing risks by replacing passwords with device-based authentication.* Provides stronger protection since your biometric or PIN never leaves the device.Use Google Password Manager to create and store passkeys for supported sites and apps.1. Open a site or app that offers passkey sign-in.2. Select the option to create or save a passkey.3. Approve it using your phone’s lock screen or device authentication.4. Store the passkey in Google Password Manager.5. Next time, sign in with the passkey instead of typing a password.Do not create passkeys on shared devices. Since your device unlock becomes your sign-in key, it should only be set up on personal devices you control.