Microsoft has recently announced that instead of using a password, they can now use an authenticator app or other passwordless authentication method using their mobile phone or Windows device.
The new paswordless feature is available to all Microsoft and Windows users after introducing business users to the feature in March of 2021.
All Microsoft users will now be presented with the option to delete all of the passwords from their Microsoft or Windows accounts when they log in.
Once the new feature is enabled, users will then be asked to provide their fingerprint if they are using a mobile tablet or phone or will need to use an authentication method using their mobile device if they are logging in using a browser or desktop.
More Secure Than Passwords
According to Microsoft, the new passwordless features will make accounts more secure since passwords can be lost or stolen.
Even though Windows users will still be able to use login features such as the pin code option, if access to the passwordless authentication method is lost, backup options can be used such as:
- Facial recognition which is available on some laptops or by using facial recognition cameras.
- Physical security keys which will need to be used on the login device
- Codes which can be sent to a recovery mobile number using SMS or to a recovery email address
Our Take
As we increasingly use online services and cloud-based apps, it has also become increasingly inconvenient to create, remember, and manage across various personal or business accounts.
Methods used by hackers to gain access to your online accounts and web-based services has also become more sophisticated and companies such as Microsoft are continuing to look at ways of making their services more secure for users.
While aiming to make account access more secure, software and technology companies do not want to make accessing accounts more difficult for users and Microsoft seem to have achieved an initial goal of making user accounts more secure and convenient to log in.
The most common problem for users is remembering the password for their accounts so having a feature which requires a quick tap or confirmation using a mobile device will be make it more convenient for users. It will also provide more security as notifications will be sent to a user’s device, informing them when access to their account is attempted.
Even there may be some initial bugs and patches to work through with the new passwordless feature, more and more companies will bring in similar features over the coming months and years which will use more secure and increasingly more convenient account access methods.