Microsoft starts new login rollout for users with the option to ditch account passwords altogether

If there’s one thing most of us hate about online computing is passwords. While there are password apps and browser password saving features among others tools to make life easier, there is still the issue of password security. Even if users use strong passwords, it feels like it is every other week that a company security breach results in passwords being compromised. According to Microsoft, there are a whopping 579 password attacks every second totalling 18 billion annually.

Microsoft believes it has developed a better solution and has commenced the rollout of its new passwordless account feature to all Microsoft account users. The feature involves users downloading and installing the Microsoft Authenticator app on their mobile which is a method typically used by enterprises and their employees to keep their business data more secure. According to Microsoft, almost 100 percent of its employees use passwordless options to login.

With Authenticator installed, users simply need to go to their Microsoft account, sign in and choose Advanced Security Options. Under Additional Security Options, there will be an option for Passwordless Account which simply needs to be turned on. Then users need only follow the onscreen prompts and approve the notification from the Authenticator app on their mobile device. If the option for Passwordless Account is not there at this time, Microsoft says to check back in over the coming weeks.

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