Verified source report
Experts say we should use passkeys, but can a smartphone PIN really be safer than a password?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions explores a topical issue of personal cybersecurity Readers reply: If an alien asked you: ‘What is music?’ what would you play for them? I’ve been struggling to get my head around the idea that a passkey, which can be a PIN on your phone, or facial recognition, can be safer than using a complicated password, and two factor authentication. I get that having something unique to your device, not stored on a company’s server is unphishable, and less hackable by cybercrims, but what if your phone is nicked and someone guesses the password? And what if you lose your phone? Continue reading...
What happened
According to The Guardian’s source item, Experts say we should use passkeys, but can a smartphone PIN really be safer than a password?, The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions explores a topical issue of personal cybersecurity Readers reply: If an alien asked you: ‘What is music?’ what would you play for them? I’ve been struggling to get my head around the idea that a passkey, which can be a PIN on your phone, or facial recognition, can be safer than using a complicated password, and two factor authentication. I get that having something unique to your device, not stored on a company’s server is unphishable, and less hackable by cybercrims, but what if your phone is nicked and someone guesses the password? And what if you lose your phone? Continue reading…
Context
The development sits in VINI’s Technology file for readers following technology, science, product policy, markets, infrastructure, and the public consequences of innovation. The original report is linked so readers can check the source account, follow later updates, and compare new coverage against the first published record. The source item is dated 2026-06-07T13:00:34+00:00.
What to watch
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Source
Primary source: Experts say we should use passkeys, but can a smartphone PIN really be safer than a password? via The Guardian. VINI cites and links the source; it does not reproduce the publisher’s full article text without rights clearance.
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Source links
- Experts say we should use passkeys, but can a smartphone PIN really be safer than a password?The Guardian - 2026-06-07T13:00:34+00:00
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