Microsoft Will Delete Passwords in 6 Weeks—Here’s How to Prepare

 

Microsoft to Eliminate Passwords for Over 1 Billion Users: Transition to Passkeys Now

Microsoft has announced a significant shift in its authentication process, aiming to remove passwords from over a billion user accounts. This move is in response to the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, with the company blocking approximately 7,000 password-related attacks per second—a figure nearly double that of the previous year.

 

🔐 Why the Change?

Traditional passwords are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, including phishing and credential stuffing attacks. Microsoft's initiative to eliminate passwords is part of a broader industry trend towards more secure authentication methods. The company has observed a 146% year-over-year increase in adversary-in-the-middle phishing attacks.

 

✅ What Are Passkeys?

Passkeys are a modern alternative to passwords, offering enhanced security and user convenience. They utilize biometric authentication methods such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, or hardware security keys, to verify user identity. Unlike passwords, passkeys are resistant to phishing attacks and eliminate the need for remembering complex passwords.

 

⚙️ How to Transition to Passkeys

To adopt passkeys, users should.

1.     Enable Biometric Authentication: Set up Windows Hello or similar biometric features on your device.

2.     Utilize Microsoft Authenticator: Download and configure the Microsoft Authenticator app for secure sign-ins.

3.     Update Account Settings: Navigate to your Microsoft account settings and follow the prompts to set up a passkey.

Microsoft supports passkeys on various platforms, including Windows 10 and 11, macOS Ventura and newer, iOS 16 and newer, Android 9 and newer, and major browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge.

📅 Timeline and Future Plans

The transition to password less authentication is underway, with Microsoft rolling out updated sign-in experiences across its platforms. While the initial focus is on consumer accounts, enterprise solutions will follow suit in the coming months. Microsoft aims to have passkeys as the default authentication method for all users, phasing out passwords entirely.

⚠️ Act Now

Users are encouraged to transition to passkeys promptly to enhance account security and align with Microsoft's evolving authentication standards. Delaying this transition may expose accounts to increased security risks as cyber threats continue to evolve.

For more detailed information and step-by-step guidance, visit Microsoft's official support page on passkeys.