Latest news with #MicrosoftAuthenticator
Metro
14 hours ago
- Metro
Microsoft users warned passwords will be deleted for millions in August
People who use Microsoft Authenticator to manage their passwords have been warned they will soon no longer be able to do so. The app can be used to store passwords with autofill, as well as for two-factor authentication allowing users to show their face to log into email or company systems. But support for passwords is ending, with Microsoft saying 'the password era is ending' and urging people to turn to alternative ways of logging in. It's partly our fault, given we keep reusing pet names, swear words, 12345, and 'password' as not-so-foolproof keys to our kingdom. Before you panic that the company is removing support for passwords entirely, they're not – or at least, not yet. If you want to keep using Microsoft to store them, you can use their Edge browser which will keep them all logged and ready. But if you prefer a separate app so you can use passwords in Chrome, Safari, or another browser, it's time to export them so you still have access. June 2025: you will no longer be able to save new passwords in Authenticator. July 2025: you will not be able to use autofill with Authenticator. Payment information will be deleted. August 2025: your saved passwords will no longer be accessible in Authenticator. In a blog post in December last year, Microsoft said they block 7,000 attacks on passwords per second, 'almost double from a year ago', as well as an increase in phishing attacks to steal credentials by 146%. They said the reign of passwords is ending: 'Bad actors know it, which is why they're desperately accelerating password-related attacks while they still can.' They said the solution is passkeys, which 'offer an improved user experience by letting you sign in faster with your face, fingerprint, or PIN, but they also aren't susceptible to the same kinds of attacks as passwords'. If you prefer using Microsoft for your passwords, you can download the Edge app and then set it as your default password manager from Settings. More Trending In a support post, the company also set out steps you can take to export passwords to another app manager. They warned they will no longer be encrypted if you do this, so make sure to quickly delete the file after they have been saved elsewhere. But you will need to do this before August 2025, as after this they will no longer be accessible, and any generated passwords not saved will be deleted. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Nintendo is bringing one of its exclusive games to PC claims Microsoft website MORE: Xbox handheld delayed claims report as Microsoft refocuses on Windows MORE: Putin threats to 'throttle' US firms like Microsoft and Zoom in words war with Trump
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Microsoft users have less than 24 hours before huge change to feature used by 75million - what you must do NOW
Millions of Microsoft Authenticator users have been issued an urgent warning to save all their passwords immediately before a major change takes effect in just hours. The company is phasing out its password management system from tomorrow in a move that will affect 75 million users worldwide who rely on the app daily. Users now face losing access to saved passwords and payment details unless they act fast. Microsoft Authenticator, which provides two-factor authentication security for online accounts, serves as a password manager that stores and automatically fills in login details for apps and websites. It is a free mobile app that helps users keep their online accounts secure and also helps fill out all your hard-to-remember passwords. It acts like a digital bodyguard by adding an extra layer of protection when you sign in to your Microsoft account, work apps, or other services online. There is now less than 24 hours before the major changes will affect millions who use Microsoft Authenticator's password storage feature. Starting from June 1, the app will stop saving any new passwords as Microsoft makes the dramatic decision to shift all password management duties to its Edge browser instead. And by July 1, the autofill function in Authenticator will be completely disabled, meaning users will lose the ability to automatically enter their saved passwords. On top of that, any saved payment information stored in the app - including credit card details and banking information - will be permanently deleted when the changes take effect. It's part of a major three-stage shift away from the use of traditional passwords, which infamously include letters, phrases, numbers, or special characters, that users often forget frequently or are easily guessed by hackers. Finally, starting in August 2025, Microsoft warned that 'your saved passwords will no longer be accessible in Authenticator'. Microsoft said that the decision was made to streamline all of the tech giant's autofill and password management operations, moving all of it to the company's internet browser Edge. For those fearing that their saved passwords will disappear forever this summer, Microsoft added that anyone using Authenticator will still have their passwords and addresses synced to their Microsoft account. 'You can continue to access them and enjoy seamless autofill functionality with Microsoft Edge, a secure and user-friendly AI-powered web browser,' the company explained in a statement. The tech conglomerate's web browser has its own cyber security features, including and anti-phishing and malware tool (Microsoft Defender SmartScreen), a password monitor, and a tool to block tracking cookies and wipe your search history (InPrivate search). Despite Microsoft claiming that moving all Authenticator app data over to Edge will streamline the security and logging in process, many people are not happy about the change. Several app users on social media accused Microsoft of forcing them to choose their web browser whether they like it or not. 'Microsoft has decided to kill off its password manager in the Authenticator app, forcing everyone to use Edge instead. Because who needs choices and options when it comes to password management, right?' one person on X wrote Monday. 'So I should just get rid of Microsoft Authenticator app and never dare rely on another Microsoft product. Got it,' another person added. Meanwhile, other frustrated Authenticator users noted how often the app experiences glitches which can prevent them from verifying their identity. 'Trying login to the Microsoft Authenticator app - but it's asking me to enter the code in the Microsoft Authenticator app which I am trying to get into. Am I in an endless loop here forever?' one person asked. 'All I want in life is to never use Microsoft Authenticator again,' another X user declared.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning to all mobile users as passwords will be DELETED from app used by millions – save them now before closure
It's time to scrap passwords altogether - find out about a secure alternative below PASS OUT Urgent warning to all mobile users as passwords will be DELETED from app used by millions – save them now before closure MICROSOFT is warning users that their passwords will disappear soon from a popular free app. The tech giant is removing the password storage tool within its Microsoft Authenticator app. 1 Access to passwords within the app will be completely blocked by August Credit: Alamy While many use the platform to verify their identity there is also a useful password autofill capability. The feature allows users to securely store all their passwords in one place and summon them from any mobile device or computer you're logged into. But it's being phased out, with the first stage commencing in days. From June, you'll be blocked from saving any new passwords on the app. Then in July, the autofill function that automatically adds your login details onto webpage will stop working. Finally, the entire saved passwords tool will cease in August with any login data stored on the app deleted. Microsoft has ramped up warnings to users, with a banner now appearing in the app. 'Autofill via Authenticator ends in July 2025,' the app says. "You can export your saved info (passwords only) from Authenticator until Autofill ends. "Access your passwords and addresses via Microsoft Edge at any time. Change Gmail and Outlook password using 'phrase rule' right now as experts warn most log-ins can be guessed in an hour "To keep autofilling your info, turn on Edge or other provider." The popular passkeys and two-factor authentication features on Microsoft Authenticator will continue to work as normal. It all comes as tech firms shift away from the dreaded password which are easily hacked, due to common mistakes like re-used passwords or easily guessed terms. By comparison, passkeys can't be guessed and they're impossible to re-use too. A number of tech companies such as Google are shifting people from passwords to passkeys.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning to all mobile users as passwords will be DELETED from app used by millions – save them now before closure
MICROSOFT is warning users that their passwords will disappear soon from a popular free app. The tech giant is Advertisement 1 Access to passwords within the app will be completely blocked by August Credit: Alamy While many use the platform to verify their identity there is also a useful password autofill capability. The feature allows users to securely store all their But it's being phased out, with the first stage commencing in days. From June, you'll be blocked from saving any new passwords on the app. Advertisement Read more about apps Then in July, the autofill function that automatically adds your login details onto webpage will stop working. Finally, the entire saved passwords tool will cease in August with any login data stored on the app deleted. Microsoft has ramped up warnings to users, with a banner now appearing in the app. 'Autofill via Authenticator ends in July 2025,' the app says. Advertisement Most read in Tech Exclusive "You can export your saved info (passwords only) from Authenticator until Autofill ends. "Access your passwords and addresses via Microsoft Edge at any time. Change Gmail and Outlook password using 'phrase rule' right now as experts warn most log-ins can be guessed in an hour "To keep autofilling your info, turn on Edge or other provider." The popular passkeys and two-factor authentication features on Microsoft Authenticator will continue to work as normal. Advertisement It all comes as tech firms shift away from the dreaded password which are easily hacked, due to common mistakes like re-used passwords or easily guessed terms. By comparison, A number of tech companies such as Google are shifting people from passwords to passkeys. SHOULD I SWITCH TO PASSKEYS? Here's what security expert Chris Hauk, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Pixel Privacy, told The Sun... 'Passwords are both hard to remember and in most cases, easy to guess. "I would venture to say that most users (especially older users) will reuse passwords, simply because of all of the websites and apps that require sign-ins. "While password managers do help, they are at best, a stopgap measure and do not offer full-ranging security for your login information. "Passkeys offer the advantage of eliminating the need to enter an email address and password to log in. "This is especially handy when users are logging in on an iPhone or Android device. "Passkeys have multiple advantages over passwords. Passkeys cannot be shared or guessed. "Passkeys are unique to the website or app they are created for, so they cannot be used to login elsewhere like a reused password can. "Plus, passkeys cannot be stolen in a data breach, as the passkeys are not stored on the company's servers. "But are instead are a private key stored only on your device, where biometric authentication (like face ID or Touch ID) is required to use the passkey.' Image credit: Getty
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Urgent warning to all mobile users as passwords will be DELETED from app used by millions – save them now before closure
MICROSOFT is warning users that their passwords will disappear soon from a popular free app. The tech giant is removing the password storage tool within its Microsoft Authenticator app. 1 While many use the platform to verify their identity there is also a useful password autofill capability. The feature allows users to securely store all their passwords in one place and summon them from any mobile device or computer you're logged into. But it's being phased out, with the first stage commencing in days. From June, you'll be blocked from saving any new passwords on the app. Then in July, the autofill function that automatically adds your login details onto webpage will stop working. Finally, the entire saved passwords tool will cease in August with any login data stored on the app deleted. Microsoft has ramped up warnings to users, with a banner now appearing in the app. 'Autofill via Authenticator ends in July 2025,' the app says. "You can export your saved info (passwords only) from Authenticator until Autofill ends. "Access your passwords and addresses via Microsoft Edge at any time. Change Gmail and Outlook password using 'phrase rule' right now as experts warn most log-ins can be guessed in an hour "To keep autofilling your info, turn on Edge or other provider." The popular passkeys and two-factor authentication features on Microsoft Authenticator will continue to work as normal. It all comes as tech firms shift away from the dreaded password which are easily hacked, due to common mistakes like re-used passwords or easily guessed terms. By comparison, passkeys can't be guessed and they're impossible to re-use too. A number of tech companies such as Google are shifting people from passwords to passkeys. SHOULD I SWITCH TO PASSKEYS? Here's what security expert Chris Hauk, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Pixel Privacy, told The Sun... 'Passwords are both hard to remember and in most cases, easy to guess. "I would venture to say that most users (especially older users) will reuse passwords, simply because of all of the websites and apps that require sign-ins. "While password managers do help, they are at best, a stopgap measure and do not offer full-ranging security for your login information. "Passkeys offer the advantage of eliminating the need to enter an email address and password to log in. "This is especially handy when users are logging in on an iPhone or Android device. "Passkeys have multiple advantages over passwords. Passkeys cannot be shared or guessed. "Passkeys are unique to the website or app they are created for, so they cannot be used to login elsewhere like a reused password can. "Plus, passkeys cannot be stolen in a data breach, as the passkeys are not stored on the company's servers. "But are instead are a private key stored only on your device, where biometric authentication (like face ID or Touch ID) is required to use the passkey.' Image credit: Getty
