So a passkey is just a really long password that no one can remember so you have to copy-paste it from a text file instead, and can therefore only login from one device, unless you’re emailing or texting this really long password to yourself on another device.
“So a passkey is just a really long password that no one can remember so you have to copy-paste it from a text file instead.”
Well kind of. It is stored in digital format rather than text. And can be read wireless with bluetooth using the proper utilities from a phone. Think “Syncing” a mobile device with your computer, or needing a physical USB device to plug in that has the matching digital key. You are not getting in without one or the other so now it is completely dependent on that second device to access your system at all.
A good comparison would be a digital keycard for a Motel room. You insert the card and the computer reads the chip and if the encrypted digital key string matches it will open. Or like bank cards that let you purchase an item securely with just a “tap” close to a wireless bluetooth device. The paypoint reads your account viability from the card and approves the purchase or not. So same with keypasses, either wirelessly or physically it reads the digital key (chip) from a second device and unlocks your system for you.
But here is the problem... What if you lose your second device with the key on it? Or if it fails for some reason? It would be just like losing your digital motel keycard. You are going to be locked out until you go through a BUNCH of work to get back in if EVER AGAIN. And if you contact management (Microsoft) and they can let you back in then what does this say about how private it is from MS? If they can still get in your system then it is not yours or private and they are now your landlord (motel keeper).
And if even they can’t help you get in then you are screwed and everything on that computer is gone and it is bricked. This dependency on a second device is a problem. This new feature should be optional not mandatory by default as MS has planned. A lot of us don’t even need that kind of security. It is overkill for most and unneeded.
And here is the cherry on top. To make an encrypted key on a smartphone it will probably require a fingerprint scan and facial recognition. Heard this concept before?
“Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark”