Urgent Alert: Microsoft to Delete Your Passwords on August 1 – Here’s What You Need to Do Right Now!

If you use Microsoft Authenticator for your passwords, you need to pay attention. On August 1, the app will stop managing passwords. This means features like auto-fill and two-factor authentication will no longer work.

Microsoft is shifting to passkeys—a new way to log in that’s simpler and safer. Instead of remembering long strings of letters and numbers, you can use things like your fingerprint or facial recognition. Attila Tomaschek, a digital security expert at CNET, thinks this is a big step up from traditional passwords. He points out that many people have poor password habits; a CNET survey found that nearly half of U.S. adults reuse passwords or choose ones that are easy to guess.

So, what are passkeys? Created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance, passkeys use biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity. This makes you less vulnerable to phishing and hacking. Unlike passwords, passkeys are stored only on your device, not on servers. This means you won’t have to remember complicated passwords anymore.

Here’s how to start using passkeys: Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. Tap your account and select “Set up a passkey.” You’ll first log in with your existing credentials, and then you can establish your passkey.

If you still want to use traditional passwords, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, experts, including Tomaschek, recommend transitioning to passkeys. The move to passkey technology aims to enhance security by using public key cryptography. As Tomaschek explains, passkeys require both a public and a private key, making it much harder for unauthorized users to access your data.

As the deadline approaches, it’s vital to act. Switching to a password manager can also be a good plan if you prefer to keep using traditional passwords. Some popular recommendations are Bitwarden, praised for its transparency and robust free features, and 1Password, noted for its user-friendly interface.

With the password phase coming to an end, getting familiar with passkeys and alternative password managers is a smart move for your online safety. For further reading, you can check out this Microsoft blog post on passkeys and their benefits.

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