Live data from Hacker News

Tailscale doesn't want your password

tailscale.com

11–20 of 316 posts

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#11
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When you use passkeys with either Apple's iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, the key material is end-to-end encrypted. Law enforcement cannot get your passkeys through these two big tech companies.

So your keychain is symmetrically encrypted with a password and they don’t store that?

Among other things, yes[1].

[1]: https://support.apple.com/guide/security/escrow-security-for...

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#12
post #4

I don’t understand why someone would want to store all their credentials with one of the large tech companies. It seems like this makes it really easy for law enforcement to grab access to all accounts easily.

When you use passkeys with either Apple's iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, the key material is end-to-end encrypted. Law enforcement cannot get your passkeys through these two big tech companies.

This is a great point. And to respond to the other part of the parent comment about storing "all their credentials with one of the large tech companies" — you don’t even need to do that, if you don’t want to.

Apple just extended their Credential Provider API such that passkeys can now be synced using external providers, meaning password manager apps can save and offer passkeys on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. So you can choose to sync your passkeys with whatever your favorite password manager is.

See this page: https://developer.apple.com/passkeys/

And Google announced a similar API a month or two ago.

See the section titled "Passkey support for Android apps" on this page: https://developers.google.com/identity/passkeys/supported-en...

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#13
That's so cool, I didn't even know Passkeys were available to use already.

Does anyone know of a good resource / tutorial / example / best practices on building login/signup systems in web apps with Passkeys?

Also, what's browser support like? I'd love for some simple system to just replace PassportJS and all those confusing systems.

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#14
post #4

I don’t understand why someone would want to store all their credentials with one of the large tech companies. It seems like this makes it really easy for law enforcement to grab access to all accounts easily.

When you use passkeys with either Apple's iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, the key material is end-to-end encrypted. Law enforcement cannot get your passkeys through these two big tech companies.

e2e encryption is one forced update away from being plain text.

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#16
post #4

I don’t understand why someone would want to store all their credentials with one of the large tech companies. It seems like this makes it really easy for law enforcement to grab access to all accounts easily.

When you use passkeys with either Apple's iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, the key material is end-to-end encrypted. Law enforcement cannot get your passkeys through these two big tech companies.

Until law enforcement asks them to make an exception for you in a sealed court decision.

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#17
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When you use passkeys with either Apple's iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, the key material is end-to-end encrypted. Law enforcement cannot get your passkeys through these two big tech companies.

This is a great point. And to respond to the other part of the parent comment about storing "all their credentials with one of the large tech companies" — you don’t even need to do that, if you don’t want to. Apple just extended their Credential Provider API such that passkeys can now be synced using external providers, meaning password manager apps can save and offer passkeys on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. So you can ch…

You guys conveniently ignores the fact that Apple and Google are still the gatekeepers in that scenario.

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#18
post #13

That's so cool, I didn't even know Passkeys were available to use already. Does anyone know of a good resource / tutorial / example / best practices on building login/signup systems in web apps with Passkeys? Also, what's browser support like? I'd love for some simple system to just replace PassportJS and all those confusing systems.

https://passkeys.dev/device-support/#matrix

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#19
Like many round trips we have made, I suspect in the year 2035, we’ll look back and say to ourselves: “Yeah, password was super based. Just copy paste it in the box and you’re logged in. Can store it anywhere, even in a notebook. Safekeep it by printing them. No need for HyperBigTechCorp. Portable. Those gray beards had it right the whole time.”

Can we please stop the bandwagon for a moment and inquire about the downsides of Passkey?

Re: Tailscale doesn't want your password

#20
post #6

I just want to say that Tailscale ROCKS. It installed flawlessly on all of my machines (Linux and Mac), and now I can route to all of them wherever I am. It configures DNS correctly, it routes traffic correctly, and all of my internal machines at my house are routable when I'm out in a coffee shop or library or hotels. It's been more than a year and it's operated flawlessly, never needing maintenance or restarting, i…

I totally agree, and with their recent relaxation of the license tiers, they really seem like a consumer friendly company. I wish them well.
Post reply on HN