Latest news with #passwordfree
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft Authenticator Removes Password Manager, Moves Passwords to Edge
If you're a Microsoft Authenticator user, you may notice that the Passwords section is missing one of its core functions. True to its word from earlier this month, Microsoft has removed the password management portion of the app as it moves toward a password-free future. Passwords and saved addresses that were in the Authenticator app have not been deleted; rather, they've been moved to Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft account page. Microsoft says users can access their passwords and addresses directly through Microsoft Edge, which will now be the primary platform for password storage and management. To use Edge for storing and autofilling passwords, as reported by our colleagues at PCMag: On an iOS device, users can visit Settings, General, Autofill & Passwords, and finally Edge. On Android devices, the path is through Settings, General Management, Passwords & Autofill, Autofill Service, and then Edge. Microsoft has also informed users that payment data within Authenticator will be deleted starting August 1. Users can still add and save passkeys in the Authenticator app. For those who'd prefer to use a different app, exporting passwords is easy: Just open Authenticator, go to Settings, select Export Passwords, and save the file. Most other password managers let users import this file.
CNET
13-07-2025
- CNET
Microsoft Plans to Purge Passwords—Here's How to Protect Yours
Microsoft is moving closer to a password-free future, and if you're still using the Authenticator app to manage logins, big changes are coming fast. Starting Aug. 1, the app will no longer support passwords at all. This shift has already been in motion-new password creation was disabled in June, and autofill support was cut off in July. For years, Microsoft Authenticator was a go-to for managing both multi-factor authentication and saved passwords. But now, it's being refocused to support passkeys instead. That means your logins will soon rely more on things like PINs, fingerprint scans, or facial recognition-more secure, faster and harder to steal than a standard password. If you're still relying on Authenticator for password storage, it's time to move your data elsewhere before it disappears. Attila Tomaschek, CNET's software senior writer and digital security expert, said that's not a bad thing, though. "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," Tomaschek said. Passkeys get rid of the risky password habits practiced by 49% of US adults, like using the same password for multiple accounts or using personal hints, according to a CNET survey. However, those convenient hints can pose a bigger risk to scammers, identity theft and fraud. If you're a fan of Authenticator and not sure where to start before the switch, here's what you need to do before Microsoft's Aug. 1 move. When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords? 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. Starting this month, you won't be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, 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 are passkeys 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. 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.
