Latest news with #MicrosoftAuthenticator
CNET
8 hours ago
- CNET
Microsoft Will Delete Your Passwords This Friday. What to Do Now
We're only days away from the Microsoft Authenticator app no longer managing passwords. As of this Friday, you won't be able to save or manage passwords, use two-factor authentication or auto-fill. And it won't be your go-to password manager anymore, either. Earlier this summer, Microsoft announced it was moving from passwords to passkeys. So instead of creating a password with a mix of letters, symbols and numbers, you'll use PINs, fingerprint scans, facial recognition or a pattern on your device's lock screen to log in to your accounts. Passkeys are a safer alternative to the risky password habits we use, according to Attila Tomaschek, a CNET software senior writer and digital security expert. CNET's password survey found that 49% of US adults have bad password habits. And using the same password for several accounts or one that's easy to guess can put you at risk of hackers stealing your data. Yet, the switch to a new login process is coming up quickly. So it's time to figure out how passkeys will work with Microsoft and to pick a new password manager. Here's what you need to know to get started. Microsoft Authenticator will stop supporting passwords on Aug. 1 Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you're logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator. As of this month, you won't be able to use the autofill password function. And starting Aug. 1, you'll no longer be able to use saved passwords. If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. "Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts," Tomaschek said. Why passkeys are a better alternative to passwords So what exactly is a passkey? It's a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That's generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack. "Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks," said Tomaschek. Passkeys aren't stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they're stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager. How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. "If you have a password and 'one-time code' set up on your account, we'll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you're signed in, you'll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you'll be prompted to sign in with your passkey," according to the blog post. To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select "Set up a passkey." You'll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you're logged in, you can set up the passkey. Other password manager alternatives Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you'll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several. The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It's open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator. Bitwarden's upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too. Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it's second on the list, Tomaschek says it's just as good as Bitwarden.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
The auto-password feature change coming to Microsoft soon
Microsoft Authenticator will discontinue its password management features, with all stored passwords set for deletion by 1st August. This change signifies Microsoft's shift towards passkeys, a more secure digital authentication method utilising biometrics or PINs, in response to increasing cyberattacks. Passkeys aim to simplify and secure online logins by removing the need for complex passwords, though individual setup is required for each compatible service. Users can still access their old passwords after the deadline by installing and logging into the Microsoft Edge browser on their chosen device. Authenticator will continue to function for multi-factor authentication and biometric logins, but its password management is now consolidated within Edge; users should secure their credentials accordingly.
San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Microsoft Authenticator is ending password autofill soon. How to set up a passkey before Aug. 1
NEW YORK (AP) — If you're a Microsoft Authenticator user, like me, you've probably received at least one notice that the app's password management features are no longer usable and that your stored passwords will be inaccessible starting Aug. 1 unless you have the Edge browser. Why? Because Microsoft is moving its signature sign-in app to a digital authentication method touted by security experts as an easier and more secure way to log in: passkeys. 'Last year (2024), we observed a staggering 7,000 password attacks per second (more than double the rate from 2023)," Microsoft wrote in a blog post. "Although passwords have been around for centuries, we hope their reign over our online world is ending.' Authenticator has been a staple in providing multi-factor authentication, one-time passwords and biometric logins for services and some websites. Although the app will continue to provide authentication for passkey-compatible services, it is pushing its password management and autofill functions out to the company's Edge browser instead. Note that not all websites and applications have adopted passkeys yet, so many places still rely on passwords. If you haven't yet moved to a different password manager system or set up your passkeys, we're here to help. How to generate a passkey in Authenticator Passkeys do away with complex 14 character passwords because you never need to see them. Instead you are using existing biometrics like your face or fingerprints, digital patterns or PINs to access your accounts. Passkeys are made up of two parts of a code that only makes sense when they're combined, kind of like a digital key and padlock. You keep half of the encrypted code, typically stored either in the cloud with a compatible verification app — including Authenticator — or on a physical security dongle. The other half is stored on the participating apps, services or accounts you want to access. The bad news? You do have to set up individual passkeys for each service or application that accepts them. Keeping track of where you can use them versus traditional passwords can be challenging. If you've opened Authenticator in the last few months, you likely were prompted to set up a passkey through a guided experience. If you didn't receive such a prompt, you can set up a new passkey by opening the authenticator app on your device. Find and tap on your account, then select 'set up a passkey' option. Follow the app's instructions. Accessing old passwords in Edge The good news is that all of your old passwords are synced to your Microsoft account. But to access them after Aug. 1, you will need to first install the Edge browser on your device of choice (and log into it). For iOS users, navigate to Settings General Autofill & Passwords and turn on Edge. Android users click their way to Settings General management Passwords and autofill Autofill service and select Edge. Laptop and desktop users will need to open Edge and navigate to Settings Profiles Passwords. There you should find an autofill toggle and another option to save new passwords to your account. Downloading your passwords to use in a password manager Firstly, check out our advice on selecting and using password managers. There are many services — paid and free — out there and options to consider. Now to export your Authenticator passwords, open the app on your device then navigate to Settings Export Passwords. This will spit out an exported file containing your data. Most of the password managers out there — including those built into other browsers, or Apple and Android's own key ring apps — will have an import option, which should accept this file. If you're having difficulty with the import, it's best to consult their customer service lines for help.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft Authenticator is ending password autofill soon. How to set up a passkey before Aug. 1
NEW YORK (AP) — If you're a Microsoft Authenticator user, like me, you've probably received at least one notice that the app's password management features are no longer usable and that your stored passwords will be inaccessible starting Aug. 1 unless you have the Edge browser. Why? Because Microsoft is moving its signature sign-in app to a digital authentication method touted by security experts as an easier and more secure way to log in: passkeys. 'Last year (2024), we observed a staggering 7,000 password attacks per second (more than double the rate from 2023)," Microsoft wrote in a blog post. "Although passwords have been around for centuries, we hope their reign over our online world is ending.' Authenticator has been a staple in providing multi-factor authentication, one-time passwords and biometric logins for services and some websites. Although the app will continue to provide authentication for passkey-compatible services, it is pushing its password management and autofill functions out to the company's Edge browser instead. Note that not all websites and applications have adopted passkeys yet, so many places still rely on passwords. If you haven't yet moved to a different password manager system or set up your passkeys, we're here to help. How to generate a passkey in Authenticator Passkeys do away with complex 14 character passwords because you never need to see them. Instead you are using existing biometrics like your face or fingerprints, digital patterns or PINs to access your accounts. Passkeys are made up of two parts of a code that only makes sense when they're combined, kind of like a digital key and padlock. You keep half of the encrypted code, typically stored either in the cloud with a compatible verification app — including Authenticator — or on a physical security dongle. The other half is stored on the participating apps, services or accounts you want to access. The bad news? You do have to set up individual passkeys for each service or application that accepts them. Keeping track of where you can use them versus traditional passwords can be challenging. If you've opened Authenticator in the last few months, you likely were prompted to set up a passkey through a guided experience. If you didn't receive such a prompt, you can set up a new passkey by opening the authenticator app on your device. Find and tap on your account, then select 'set up a passkey' option. Follow the app's instructions. Accessing old passwords in Edge The good news is that all of your old passwords are synced to your Microsoft account. But to access them after Aug. 1, you will need to first install the Edge browser on your device of choice (and log into it). For iOS users, navigate to Settings General Autofill & Passwords and turn on Edge. Android users click their way to Settings General management Passwords and autofill Autofill service and select Edge. Laptop and desktop users will need to open Edge and navigate to Settings Profiles Passwords. There you should find an autofill toggle and another option to save new passwords to your account. Downloading your passwords to use in a password manager Firstly, check out our advice on selecting and using password managers. There are many services — paid and free — out there and options to consider. Now to export your Authenticator passwords, open the app on your device then navigate to Settings Export Passwords. This will spit out an exported file containing your data. Most of the password managers out there — including those built into other browsers, or Apple and Android's own key ring apps — will have an import option, which should accept this file. If you're having difficulty with the import, it's best to consult their customer service lines for help.
The Hill
11 hours ago
- The Hill
Microsoft Authenticator is ending password autofill soon. How to set up a passkey before Aug. 1
NEW YORK (AP) — If you're a Microsoft Authenticator user, like me, you've probably received at least one notice that the app's password management features are no longer usable and that your stored passwords will be deleted on Aug. 1. Yes, you read right, your passwords will be DELETED this Friday. Why? Because Microsoft is moving its signature sign-in app to a digital authentication method touted by security experts as an easier and more secure way to log in: passkeys. 'Last year (2024), we observed a staggering 7,000 password attacks per second (more than double the rate from 2023),' Microsoft wrote in a blog post. 'Although passwords have been around for centuries, we hope their reign over our online world is ending.' Authenticator has been a staple in providing multi-factor authentication, one-time passwords and biometric logins for services and some websites. Although the app will continue to provide authentication for passkey-compatible services, it is pushing its password management and autofill functions out to the company's Edge browser instead. Note that not all websites and applications have adopted passkeys yet, so many places still rely on passwords. If you haven't yet moved to a different password manager system or set up your passkeys, we're here to help. How to generate a passkey in Authenticator Passkeys do away with complex 14 character passwords because you never need to see them. Instead you are using existing biometrics like your face or fingerprints, digital patterns or PINs to access your accounts. Passkeys are made up of two parts of a code that only makes sense when they're combined, kind of like a digital key and padlock. You keep half of the encrypted code, typically stored either in the cloud with a compatible verification app — including Authenticator — or on a physical security dongle. The other half is stored on the participating apps, services or accounts you want to access. The bad news? You do have to set up individual passkeys for each service or application that accepts them. Keeping track of where you can use them versus traditional passwords can be challenging. If you've opened Authenticator in the last few months, you likely were prompted to set up a passkey through a guided experience. If you didn't receive such a prompt, you can set up a new passkey by opening the authenticator app on your device. Find and tap on your account, then select 'set up a passkey' option. Follow the app's instructions. Accessing old passwords in Edge The good news is that all of your old passwords are synced to your Microsoft account. But to access them after Aug. 1, you will need to first install the Edge browser on your device of choice (and log into it). For iOS users, navigate to Settings General Autofill & Passwords and turn on Edge. Android users click their way to Settings General management Passwords and autofill Autofill service and select Edge. Laptop and desktop users will need to open Edge and navigate to Settings Profiles Passwords. There you should find an autofill toggle and another option to save new passwords to your account. Downloading your passwords to use in a password manager Firstly, check out our advice on selecting and using password managers. There are many services — paid and free — out there and options to consider. Now to export your Authenticator passwords, open the app on your device then navigate to Settings Export Passwords. This will spit out an exported file containing your data. Most of the password managers out there — including those built into other browsers, or Apple and Android's own key ring apps — will have an import option, which should accept this file. If you're having difficulty with the import, it's best to consult their customer service lines for help.
