Android 15 Enhances Security with Passkeys and Theft Protection Features

With the release of Android 15, Google has introduced several new security features, including passkey integration for Pixel devices.

Passkeys provide a simplified and secure method for logging into apps and services, relying on biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition instead of traditional passwords. The passkey approach aims to reduce the risk of password theft and phishing, as passkeys are stored locally on the user’s device and never transmitted to external servers.

Passkeys are designed to streamline authentication by allowing users to log in to apps with a single tap, intended to improve both security and convenience. Android 15 supports passkey use in apps that rely on autofill, making it easier for users to access their accounts without needing to input passwords. The feature could prove especially useful for applications that manage sensitive data, such as financial or personal information.

Alongside passkeys, Android 15 also includes Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI to lock a device if unusual behavior is detected, such as movement that suggests the phone has been stolen. Additional security measures include enhanced authentication requirements for actions like removing the SIM card or disabling Find My Device.

Last month, ID Tech reported that Google launched a new feature for its Chrome browser that requires biometric verification, such as fingerprints, before auto-filling passwords. This change, currently in testing, aims to enhance biometric security and protect credentials in non-trusted environments like public Wi-Fi.

In the same announcement, Google revealed it had expanded passkey functionality by syncing passkeys across platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, simplifying account login with biometrics or PINs. Google Password Manager also now offers an optional PIN for end-to-end encryption of passkeys, further improving security and privacy.

For more on the topic of passkeys and security, be sure to check out the ID Talk podcast’s recent conversation with Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance.

Sources: Android Central, The Keyword

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October 18, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith