Passwords are a relic of the past - they get stolen, forgotten, and guessed. Passkeys solve this problem: Based on biometric authentication (fingerprint, facial recognition), they offer 98% login success rate (FIDO Alliance) (passwords: only 2%), are immune to phishing, and make login 17x faster. For online shops, this means: fewer abandoned carts, more security, happier customers. Passkeys are a key component of a modern Zero Trust strategy.
What Are Passkeys?
Passkeys are a modern authentication method that replaces passwords with cryptographic key pairs. Instead of remembering a password, customers use their fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN on their device.
The technology is based on the open standards FIDO2 and WebAuthn, developed by the FIDO Alliance and W3C. Supported by Apple, Google, and Microsoft, passkeys are available on virtually all modern devices.
Phishing-immune
Passkeys only work on the real website. Fake sites cannot intercept them.
Lightning-fast
Login in under 2 seconds via fingerprint or facial recognition.
No Passwords
Nothing to remember, nothing to forget, nothing to steal.
How Do Passkeys Work Technically?
Passkeys use asymmetric cryptography - the same principle as HTTPS encryption:
- Registration: The device creates a key pair - a private and a public key
- Storage: The private key stays secure on the device (in Secure Element), the public key goes to the shop
- Login: The shop sends a challenge, the device signs it with the private key
- Verification: The shop verifies the signature with the public key
Benefits for Online Shops
| Metric | Password Login | Passkey Login |
|---|---|---|
| Success rate | ~2% | 98% |
| Login time | ~30 seconds | ~2 seconds |
| Phishing vulnerability | High | None |
| Password reset requests | 15-25% of users | 0% |
| Account takeovers | Regular | Virtually impossible |
Security: Why Passkeys Prevent Phishing
Passkeys are phishing-resistant by design. Each passkey is bound to a specific domain (e.g., your-shop.com). Even if a user is lured to a fake site (e.g., your-sh0p.com), the passkey won't work there. The browser API automatically checks if the domain matches.
Studies show: Platforms using passkeys reduce fraud by 93% (FIS study on finance and e-commerce platforms).
Implementation in Online Shops
Integrating passkeys into your online shop is much easier today than a few years ago. What used to take six months can now be done in 2-3 sprints.
- Shopware: Passkey plugins available, or custom integration via WebAuthn API
- WooCommerce: WordPress plugins like MojoAuth offer no-code integration
- Custom shops: Direct WebAuthn API integration with JavaScript and PHP/Node.js backend
Hybrid Approach: Passkeys and Passwords in Parallel
- Offer passkeys as an option - users can voluntarily switch
- Keep password login - for older devices and hesitant users
- Encourage gradual migration - invite to passkey registration after login
- OTP as bridge - optionally require one-time password before passkey registration
The Future of Login Starts Now
Passkeys solve the fundamental problems of passwords: security, usability, and phishing vulnerability. With 98% success rate (FIDO Alliance), phishing resistance, and lightning-fast login, they are the ideal authentication for online shops.
We support you with passkey integration in your Shopware, WooCommerce, or custom shop. Contact us for consultation.
Passkeys are synced in the cloud (iCloud, Google, Microsoft). If you lose a device, you can sign in on a new device with your cloud account and regain access to all passkeys.
Passkeys themselves work offline - the cryptographic signature happens locally on the device. Only communication with the shop server requires an internet connection.
Passkeys are currently virtually unhackable. The private key never leaves the device, cannot be stolen via phishing, and even in a data breach at the shop, only public keys are exposed - nobody can log in with those.
With modern IAM solutions and plugins, basic integration is possible in 2-3 sprints. For custom shops with custom integration, expect 4-8 weeks.
No, passkeys also work on desktop computers with Windows Hello (fingerprint, facial recognition, PIN) or via security keys (USB sticks like YubiKey).
This article is based on data from the FIDO Alliance, WebAuthn specification from W3C, and practical reports from TikTok, Shopify, and FIS. As of: January 2026.
Passkeys for Your Shop
We implement passwordless authentication in your online shop - for higher login rates and maximum security.
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