Goodbye Passwords, Hello Passkeys!

Get ready for a major shake-up, Microsoft Authenticator users! If you haven't heard the news yet, brace yourselves—your beloved password management features are going kaput, and any stored passwords will vanish by August 1. Yup, you read that right: DELETED!

Why the Change?

So, what’s driving this bold move? Microsoft is pivoting to a new digital authentication method called passkeys, which experts claim is both simpler and far more secure than traditional passwords. With hackers launching a staggering 7,000 password attacks every second—more than double from just a year prior—Microsoft believes it’s high time to retire passwords for good.

The Power of Passkeys

Passkeys eliminate the need for those pesky 14-character passwords you can’t ever seem to remember. Instead, you’ll gain access to your accounts using biometrics like facial recognition or fingerprints, combined with digital patterns or PINs. Think of them as a high-tech lock and key, where each code is only understandable when both parts are combined.

What You Need to Do!

Here’s the catch: You’ll need to set up individual passkeys for each service that accepts them, which could get tricky. If you recently opened Authenticator, there’s a good chance you received prompts to create a passkey. If you missed it, no worries! Just open the app, tap on your account, and select "set up a passkey" to begin.

Syncing Your Passwords

Worried about losing your old passwords? Don’t be! They’re safely synced with your Microsoft account. However, to retrieve them after August 1, you first need to install the Edge browser and log in. For iOS users, go to Settings > General > Autofill & Passwords, and activate Edge. Android users can find it under Settings > General Management > Passwords and Autofill.

Exporting Your Data Made Easy!

Ready to switch to a new password manager? To export your existing Authenticator passwords, just navigate to Settings in the app and select "Export Passwords." This will generate a file containing all your data, which you can easily import into most other password managers, including browser-based ones or Apple and Android's built-in keyring apps.

A Secure Future Awaits!

While transitioning may seem daunting, embracing passkeys could very well be the future of secure logins. With a myriad of password management options available, it’s worth exploring what suits your needs best. Don’t wait until it’s too late; take charge and secure your digital life today!