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Protect high-value accounts first with passkeys or FIDO2 security keys, then register a second authenticator and prepare recovery before you need it. These phishing-resistant methods bind sign-in to the legitimate website, making it much harder for an AI-written look-alike page to steal a usable credential. If a service does not support them, use its strongest available MFA—preferably number matching—and treat SMS, email codes, and push approvals as fallback options.
Why do AI-powered credential attacks make account security more urgent?
AI can help attackers create and scale convincing phishing campaigns, but it does not change the core objective: persuade someone to disclose a credential or approve a sign-in. Microsoft Threat Intelligence reported in 2026 that AI-enabled phishing campaigns had click-through rates as high as 54%, compared with roughly 12% for traditional campaigns. Those are reported campaign rates, not a guarantee that a particular message will fool a particular person.
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The damage can extend beyond the account initially compromised. Microsoft says an attacker with a compromised identity can automate discovery, privilege escalation, and lateral movement. That makes email especially important: it may be used to reset other accounts or access work systems. Financial, administrator, and other accounts that could expose sensitive data or enable further access also deserve priority.
The practical response is to reduce reliance on credentials that can be typed into a fake site or relayed to an attacker. Training and careful message review still matter, but a phishing-resistant sign-in method can stop a stolen password or code from being enough to complete authentication.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
What makes a passkey or FIDO2 key phishing-resistant?
A passkey uses public-key cryptography rather than sending a reusable password to the service. The private key remains with the authenticator, such as a device or security key; the service keeps the corresponding public key.
- You navigate to the service and begin signing in.
- The legitimate service sends a challenge to the authenticator.
- The authenticator signs the challenge with its private key.
- The service checks the signature using the public key registered to your account.
The credential is associated with the registered website domain. If you are on a look-alike phishing domain, the passkey is not offered there as a credential for the genuine site. That domain binding is the key distinction from a password or a manually entered one-time code, which a convincing fake site can collect and relay.
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Do passkeys count as MFA?
They can. A passkey can provide multiple authentication factors when the device-held credential is unlocked with something you know, such as a PIN, or something you are, such as a biometric. Whether the service treats a particular setup as MFA depends on how its authenticator and sign-in flow are configured.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Phishing resistance and MFA answer different questions. MFA asks whether sign-in requires multiple factors; phishing resistance asks whether an impostor verifier can obtain or use the authentication secret or output. NIST defines phishing resistance in terms of preventing disclosure of secrets or authenticator outputs to an impostor verifier. It specifically notes that manually entered one-time password outputs are not phishing-resistant because they are not bound to the authentication session.
Which authentication methods are safer, and what are their trade-offs?
Passkeys and FIDO2 security keys offer the strongest phishing resistance among the methods covered here. Other MFA methods can still improve security over a password alone, but codes and approval prompts are more exposed to phishing, interception, spoofing, or user fatigue.
| Method | Phishing resistance and relay risk | Recovery and portability | Practical role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passkey on a device | Phishing-resistant when implemented with FIDO/WebAuthn domain binding; it is not presented to a look-alike domain. | Depends on whether the passkey is syncable or device-bound. Syncable implementations can support cross-device use and recovery. | Preferred for email, financial, administrator, and other high-value accounts. |
| FIDO2 hardware security key | Phishing-resistant through FIDO/WebAuthn; the credential is not a manually entered code that can be relayed. | A roaming key can be kept separately as a backup. Access still depends on registering it with the service and retaining it safely. | Useful as a second authenticator or for accounts needing stronger control over where credentials reside. |
| Manually entered OTP, including SMS or email codes | Phishable: a fake site can solicit a code, and NIST says manually entered OTP outputs are not bound to the session. | Can be used when a device or passkey is unavailable, depending on what the service supports. | Fallback when phishing-resistant methods are unavailable; plan to migrate away where possible. |
| Push approval | Not phishing-resistant in the guidance cited here; Microsoft identifies push methods as vulnerable to fatigue attacks. | Requires access to the enrolled device and the service’s recovery process. | Use only when stronger options are not available, and do not approve unexpected requests. |
| Number-matching MFA | Stronger than an indiscriminate approval prompt, but it remains a fallback rather than a phishing-resistant FIDO method. | Depends on the enrolled device and account recovery arrangements. | Prefer it over basic push approval when a service lacks passkeys. |
These comparisons describe the methods, not a guarantee about every provider’s implementation. Check the options and recovery rules on the service’s own security page. CISA’s guidance is that any MFA is better than none, while urging organizations and users to move toward FIDO authentication where available.
How should you choose between syncable and device-bound passkeys?
Choose based on the account’s assurance needs and your ability to recover access. Syncable passkeys can make cross-device use and recovery simpler; device-bound or hardware-backed credentials keep the credential tied more closely to a particular authenticator.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
When syncable passkeys make sense
NIST says correctly implemented syncable authenticators can provide phishing resistance, simplified recovery, and cross-device support. That can help people who routinely replace or use multiple devices, provided they are comfortable with the way the passkey is stored and synchronized.
When to prefer device-bound credentials
CISA advises evaluating syncability-related key-material risk in context and advises against syncable authenticators for AAL3. For the highest assurance, it prefers device-bound or hardware-backed credentials. If you manage a critical account, consider whether the service’s assurance requirements call for a non-syncable option rather than assuming that one choice suits every account.
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Neither choice removes the need for recovery planning. A syncable setup still depends on the account or ecosystem used to synchronize credentials; a device-bound setup can leave you locked out if the device is lost and no second authenticator is registered.
How do you set up passkeys and MFA safely?
Set up authentication from the account’s official security page, reached by typing the service’s known address or using its trusted app—not by following a link in an unexpected email or message. Confirm the domain before registering a passkey, then build in redundancy before removing older sign-in methods.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
- Prioritize accounts. Start with your primary email, financial accounts, administrator accounts, and any service that can reset or unlock other accounts.
- Open the official security settings. Sign in through the service’s official site or app and find its account security or sign-in methods page. Verify the website domain before you add an authenticator; a passkey registered on the wrong site will not secure the intended account.
- Register a passkey. Follow the service’s on-screen enrollment steps. The exact labels and available choices vary by service, device, and account type.
- Add a second authenticator. Register two or more authenticators where the service allows it. A platform passkey paired with a roaming FIDO2 hardware key is one practical arrangement; CISA recommends multiple authenticators to reduce the risk of loss and difficult recovery.
- Store a backup key separately. Keep a spare hardware key in a safe location rather than carrying both keys together. Make sure you can identify which account it is registered to without exposing account secrets.
- Test the backup before depending on it. Confirm that the second authenticator is listed in the account’s settings and can be used for sign-in, following the service’s own procedure. Do not remove your only working method until you have confirmed another one works.
- Review the recovery route. If your identity platform supports a Temporary Access Pass (TAP), Microsoft lists TAP as an option for secure onboarding and recovery. Use the platform’s documented, time-bound process rather than leaving a permanent bypass enabled.
- Clean up and monitor access. Review active sessions, revoke sessions you do not recognize, and remove authentication methods you no longer use. If a password may have been exposed, change it as well; a passkey does not undo an already compromised session.
- Keep the software involved current. Install security updates for your operating system and browser, and update your password manager if it stores or manages passkeys. Updates help ensure that the implementations you rely on receive security fixes.
What should you do if you lose your phone or security key?
Use a registered backup authenticator or the service’s official recovery process; do not assume that a passkey on one device can be recovered in the same way as one stored or synchronized elsewhere. Recovery options vary by provider, so set them up and verify them while you still have access.
- If a device is lost: Use another registered authenticator to sign in, then remove the lost device or its passkey from the account’s security settings.
- If a hardware key is lost: Sign in with the remaining registered method, revoke the missing key, and register a replacement. If you have no second method, contact the service through its official recovery route.
- If you suspect someone used the account: Review active sessions, revoke unknown sessions, change any exposed password, and remove authentication methods you did not add.
- If you are locked out of a work identity: Contact the organization’s administrator or help desk through its established channel. Where supported, the identity platform may issue a time-bound recovery credential such as TAP.
Recovery is also a security boundary: someone who can bypass the normal sign-in checks may be able to take over the account even if its everyday sign-in uses a passkey. Protect recovery email accounts and phone numbers, and avoid making an untested recovery method your only backup.
What should you use when a service does not support passkeys?
Use the strongest MFA option the service actually offers, and treat it as a fallback rather than equivalent protection. If number matching is available, prefer it to a simple push approval; if the service only offers SMS or email codes, enable them rather than leaving the account password-only, then check periodically for a phishing-resistant option.
Microsoft describes SMS, email one-time codes, and push methods as increasingly vulnerable to interception, spoofing, and fatigue attacks. A code can be stolen through a fake sign-in page, and an approval prompt can be abused by repeatedly asking a user to approve a sign-in. Never approve a prompt you did not initiate, and do not give an authentication code to someone who contacts you.
Best Value
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Prioritize migration by impact rather than trying to change every account at once. Secure the email address used for password resets, then the accounts with access to money, sensitive information, or administrative controls. Keep a record of which accounts still rely on phishable MFA so you can revisit them if their options change.
How much does a passkey setup depend on the service?
Passkeys require support from the service and a compatible authenticator. The registration screens, accepted devices, sync behavior, backup options, and recovery procedures differ by service, so there is no universal settings path or single recovery guarantee.
For organizations, enrollment and recovery need to be planned alongside the authenticator choice. Microsoft reported in its 2026 Secure Future Initiative that 92% of Microsoft employee productivity accounts were protected by phishing-resistant authentication. That figure describes Microsoft’s employee productivity accounts, not a general adoption rate or a target that every organization will reach without deployment work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a passkey be stolen if someone steals my password?
A passkey is a separate public-key credential, not a password stored by the service, so a stolen password alone does not reproduce the passkey. If you believe an account or device has been compromised, revoke unrecognized sessions and review registered authenticators through the account’s official security settings.
Can I use the same passkey on a new phone?
That depends on whether the passkey is syncable and on the ecosystem and service supporting the transfer or synchronization. A device-bound passkey may not move with you, which is why registering a separate backup authenticator before replacing a device matters.
Should I turn off my password after adding a passkey?
Only do so if the service offers that option and you understand its recovery and fallback behavior. Keeping a password enabled may preserve a phishable route into the account, while disabling it without verifying another recovery method can create lockout risk.
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It is a time-bound recovery or onboarding credential supported by some identity platforms. Microsoft lists TAP for secure onboarding and recovery; availability and the exact issuance process depend on the organization and platform.
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