Passwords are arguably the biggest source of nightmares for IT people. They tend to be the weakest point for cybersecurity attacks, and as such, make up a majority of the causes for data breaches.
Well, those days may soon be behind us. On September 15, 2021, Microsoft introduced a passwordless feature for its users. Now, Microsoft Office 365 users can forget about ‘password123’ and choose a more secure way to log into their accounts.
Users with a passwordless Microsoft account will be able to log in using:
- Microsoft Authenticator app,
- Windows Hello,
- A security key, or
- A verification code sent to their phone or email.
Microsoft keeps saying that the future is passwordless. This new feature seems to be a concrete move in that direction and brings a positive outlook for cybersecurity for businesses.
Are Passwordless Microsoft Accounts Safer for My Business?
Every business stores sensitive information that must be kept secure at all costs: client data, finances, intellectual property, and more sensitive information. A single weak password could potentially put all of this critical information at risk, which could be catastrophic without an updated data backup.
The problem with passwords is that they rely on the very flawed human brain. You either choose a password that is secure or you choose a password that you can remember. Most people will choose a password that they can remember, which is almost always not a secure password.
This makes it clear that the path towards a more secure future does not involve passwords. With the Microsoft Password Removal feature, business cybersecurity will not be beholden to a single employee’s weak password.
By taking the human element out of the identification and authentication process, companies can ensure that their information will be kept safe and confidential.
How To Remove Password From Microsoft Account
Activating Microsoft’s passwordless feature is incredibly straightforward. To activate Microsoft Password Removal, simply follow these steps:
- Download the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device and make sure it is connected to your Microsoft account.
- Login to your Microsoft Account.
- Next, click on Advanced Security Options.
- Then, turn on the Passwordless Account feature under Additional Security Options.
- Lastly, follow the prompts to activate the feature with your Microsoft Authenticator app.
Once you’ve followed these simple steps, you can officially forget about your passwords!
Is Passwordless the Future?
Whether the future is truly passwordless remains to be seen, but all major tech companies are certainly moving in that direction. Microsoft is the latest to support passwordless login, but it is not the first.
Google allows users to use their phones to log in to their accounts. Google has also explicitly stated on their blog that they see a future without passwords.
While Microsoft and Google are using personal mobile devices for passwordless identification, Apple seems to be betting on a more biometric approach. Though Apple does not currently support passwordless login, it is moving towards passwordless Face ID and Touch ID login.
These changes can be great news for businesses and IT companies alike who will benefit from less frequent and hopefully less catastrophic security breaches.