Microsoft Passwords no longer needed.

Microsoft have made passwordless accounts available to business users of its products, including Windows 10 and Microsoft 365. If you upgrade your account to passwordless, you will no longer be required to enter a password but simply verify your identity using the Microsoft Authentication app or a one-use code sent to a personal device.

What's the advantage of passwordless?

Microsoft say passwordless login is far more secure. Passwords can be difficult to remember or easy to guess with most of the unauthorised account access being through compromised passwords that were deduced or inadvertently given out. Once compromised, email and password combinations can be sold and provide access to multiple sites and services.

"We are expected to create complex and unique passwords, remember them, and change them frequently, but nobody likes doing that. In a recent Microsoft Twitter poll, one in five people reported they would rather accidentally 'reply all' - which can be monumentally embarrassing - than reset a password," says Vasu Jakkal, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President, Security, Compliance and Identity

What if I lose my phone?

The Authentication Microsoft App can be used on multiple devices, but most users will be expected to use it on just their phone. "Mobile phones can be lost or stolen. However, as Strident are Microsoft Gold Partners and all our customers are fully supported by our secure IT team, we can quickly help authorised users to regain access to their account," says Chris Joberns, Managing Director at Strident.

"We recommend our customers do all that they can to maximise the security of their IT systems, from anti-virus and secure logins to user permissions and online backups. Passwordless accounts are a significant security improvement and we can help our customers implement it," adds Chris.

To find out more about Microsoft 365 and passwordless accounts, call Strident on 01473 835 280.