Sept 18 (LiveMint) – Users can now remove a password completely from the Microsoft account and can sign in to the company’s services through alternative authentication methods.
From now on, users would no longer need a password to sign in to their Microsoft account. The decision comes days after the company made it clear in the past about its intentions of getting rid of passwords completely, in lieu of more reliable authentication methods such as biometric scans, verification codes, authentication apps and security keys.
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Alternative methods
Instead of signing in through passwords, users can access the company’s services using alternative authentication methods such as Windows Hello, security keys, verification codes, or the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Prone to attacks
The tech giant says that “passwords are highly susceptible to malicious attacks, as people simply reuse them across accounts or utilize simplistic formulas for creating new passwords. These are relatively easy to guess for hackers who can utilize password spray attacks and phishing to gain access to vulnerable accounts.”
In order to go truly passwordless on your Microsoft account, follow these steps
Step 1: First install the Microsoft Authenticator app and link it to your account.
Step 2: Head over to the portal here, and select Advanced Security Options > Additional Security > Passwordless Account > Turn on.
Step 3: On completion of the on-screen prompts, you will be shown a notification saying that “you have increased the security of your account and improved your sign-in experience by removing your password.”
The users can reconfigure their accounts to use passwords if they want. However, the change by the company has been rolled out and will be available to all within the next few weeks.
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