I, like millions of people, have spent the last few days playing around with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Over the course of the first 20 minutes or so, I experienced a wide range of emotions from skepticism to curiosity and finally to utter bewilderment.
It reminded me of the first time I first performed a Google search — and I have the same feeling again that somehow life will never quite be the same with this incredible new technology.
After asking the obligatory questions of what end-of-year gifts I should buy for different family members, my mind inevitably started wandering to work-related questions as I sought to see what ChatGPT would make of passwordless MFA, passkeys and the like.
Would it be able to crisply articulate the benefits of going passwordless and the key issues the industry is dealing with to implement passkeys? And more importantly, would it really be able to make up a joke, a limerick or a song about passwords and passkeys?
So, as we approach the end of another year, I thought it would be fun to share a handful of these queries. All in all, I was really impressed by the quality of the responses along with the fact that each one never took more than a couple of seconds to generate. As a product marketer who spends a significant amount of time writing, editing, correcting and re-editing content, I can’t deny that I was more than a little envious.
All the questions and answers below are copied directly from ChatGPT in their entirety. Enjoy!
Me:
When and how were computer passwords first used?
ChatGPT:
The use of passwords to control access to computers dates back to the early days of computing. One of the first known uses of passwords was on the Multics operating system, which was developed in the 1960s. In this system, users were required to enter a unique password in order to access the system and perform various tasks. Since then, the use of passwords has become widespread as a way of protecting sensitive information and controlling access to computers and other devices. Today, passwords are used in a variety of settings, from online banking and shopping to social media and email.
Me:
In three words, describe passwordless MFA.
ChatGPT:
Secure, convenient, flexible
Me:
In one paragraph, describe why FIDO passkeys are better than passwords.
ChatGPT:
FIDO passkeys are considered to be better than passwords because they offer several advantages. First, they are more secure because it is much harder to forge a person’s biometric data than it is to guess or hack a password. Second, they are more convenient for users because they don’t have to remember complex passwords or enter them every time they want to access a service. Third, they can be used across different devices and services, which means that users only need to authenticate themselves once, rather than having to remember multiple passwords. Overall, FIDO passkeys offer a more secure and convenient way of authenticating a person’s identity online.
Me:
What are the pros and cons of developing FIDO WebAuthn support for an organization’s digital business versus buying a cloud solution?
ChatGPT:
FIDO WebAuthn is a powerful and secure authentication standard that allows users to log into their accounts using biometric information or a physical security key instead of a password. Developing support for this standard in-house can provide a high level of control and customization, but it can also be time-consuming and require significant technical expertise.
On the other hand, buying a cloud solution can be a faster and more cost-effective option, as it typically requires little to no technical expertise to set up and use. However, this approach may not provide the same level of control and customization, and it may also introduce some security risks associated with storing sensitive data in the cloud.
Overall, the decision between developing FIDO WebAuthn support in-house and buying a cloud solution will depend on the specific needs and resources of the organization. Some organizations may benefit more from the control and customization offered by in-house development, while others may prefer the convenience and cost-effectiveness of a cloud solution.
Me:
When will the world finally be rid of passwords?
ChatGPT:
It is difficult to predict exactly when the world will be rid of passwords, as this will depend on a number of factors, including the development of new technologies and the adoption of these technologies by individuals and organizations. However, many experts believe that we are moving towards a future in which passwords will be replaced by other forms of authentication, such as biometric data or unique physical characteristics. This shift is already underway, as more and more companies and services are offering passwordless authentication options, such as fingerprint scanners or facial recognition. As these technologies become more widely adopted, it is likely that the use of passwords will continue to decline.
Me:
Tell me a joke about passwords.
ChatGPT:
Why was the password easy to guess? Because it was Password1.
Me:
If FIDO passkeys were an animal, what animal would they be?
ChatGPT:
If FIDO passkeys were an animal, they might be a cheetah. This is because cheetahs are known for their speed and agility, which are also qualities that are associated with FIDO passkeys. Cheetahs are able to quickly and accurately identify their targets, much like how FIDO passkeys can quickly and accurately authenticate a person’s identity using biometric data. Additionally, cheetahs are known for their ability to adapt to different environments, which is also a trait that could be attributed to FIDO passkeys, as they can be used across a wide range of devices and services.
Me:
Write a limerick about passwordless MFA.
ChatGPT:
A passwordless MFA, oh boy
No longer do I need to employ
A jumble of letters and numbers
To keep my accounts safe from slumbers
Now logging in is just a simple joy!
Me:
Make up a song about an evil password saved by a passkey in the form of a rap song. 100 words. Punchline at the end.
ChatGPT:
(Verse 1)
There once was an evil password
It wreaked havoc on the land
It was called “123456”
And it was the bane of all man
(Chorus)
Evil password, evil password
Beware the wrath of “123456”
It’ll steal your secrets and your riches
And leave you high and dry
(Verse 2)
But fear not, my friends
For we have a hero on our side
With a passkey to unlock the secrets
We’ll take back what’s ours and we’ll shine
(Chorus)
Passkey, passkey
Our savior in the night
It’ll unlock the secrets and the riches
And set us free from the evil’s might
(Bridge)
So never lose hope, my friends
For with a passkey on our side
We’ll defeat the evil password
And triumph over the tide
(Chorus)
Passkey, passkey
Our savior in the night
With it, we’ll unlock the secrets and the riches
And we’ll live in peace and delight
The moral of the story? Always use a strong passkey to protect your information and keep the evil password at bay!
