Tech Matters: How To Switch Without Password With Microsoft Windows | News, Sports, Jobs
Microsoft sees a future without passwords and recently extended a passwordless sign-in option for corporate users to Windows 10 Home Edition users. Passwordless functionality will also be included in the next release of Windows, which will be released later this year. Why choose an alternative to passwords? In short, security.
Weak passwords are the entry point for the majority of attacks on corporate and consumer accounts, wrote Microsoft’s vice president of security, compliance and identity in an article in blog earlier this month. “Hackers don’t break in, they log on†is a favorite adage of his department.
You’ve undoubtedly struggled to create and remember increasingly complex passwords, one for each account you use. You may need to use multiple symbols, numbers, upper and lower case letters, and you cannot reuse a previous password for an account. My assistant said that he has so many variations on his original password that it is impossible to remember which version unlocks which account. And even the most secure password can still be compromised if it is stolen in a data breach, an event that is far too common and completely beyond the control of the account holder.
In a passwordless authentication system, attackers simply cannot use passwords to log in because they do not exist in any form, including the initial login or as a recovery method stored by the user. owner of the site or service. Passwordless authentication verifies a user’s identity using either something they own (like a mobile device) or something they are (like a biometric). Each time a user requests access, a new authentication message is generated. This means that there is no credentials within the platform without a password, so there is nothing for an attacker to steal. Without a password, you cannot be tricked into revealing your credentials to an unauthorized source. You can say goodbye to phishing attacks and other common methods cybercriminals use to gain access to your sensitive data.
There are two steps to pass without password with Microsoft: you need to enable the passwordless feature on your computer and set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone or tablet. You can use the password-less sign-in with a number of Microsoft products, including Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox Series X / S, or Xbox One, soon to be released, Microsoft Office 365 apps, Microsoft Outlook, the Microsoft Store, and your Microsoft. account site. Older programs such as Office 2010 or earlier, Office for Mac 2011 or earlier, Remote Desktop, older versions of Windows, and Xbox 360 do not support logins without a password. You can count on future versions of Microsoft products to support passwordless sign-in.
To make the leap to a more secure online environment, here’s how to enable passwordless logins for your Microsoft accounts. Sign in to the Microsoft account page (https://account.microsoft.com/account). Click Security at the top of the page. Select “Start” on the Advanced Security Options card. Scroll down a bit and click on the “Activate” link under Account without password. You will now be prompted to download and configure the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. Choose an account to add in the authenticator. Log in with your password (for the last time!) Then validate the request on your phone. You will also receive a recovery code in case you lose access to your device in the future. Make sure you follow the instructions for taking a photo and then save that photo to multiple locations.
If you are an IT manager, you may want to attend Microsoft’s online event “Your Passwordless Future Starts Now” on Wednesday, October 13 at 11:00 AM MT.
Leslie Meredith has been writing and reviewing personal technology for the past nine years. She has designed and managed several international websites and now leads marketing for a global events business. As a mother of four, online value, utility and safety come first. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.
