People who store their passwords through the Microsoft Authenticator app have been warned by the tech giant to act now, as auto-fill and storage support is ending very shortly in a shocking move.
Protecting your passwords is one of the most important cybersecurity moves that you can take in the internet age, as it's often not just enough to have one universal key that's tricky to guess.
Hacking experts even recommend that the only proper way to store your passwords is with a pen and paper, but many opt for dedicated and mostly secure digital password storage options on PCs and smartphones.
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Microsoft Authenticator is one of the most popular of these options, especially as many already use the app as a security measure to log into things like their email or work accounts, but you can also utilize its password auto-fill features to keep you logged in across the web.
Unlike some browser-specific auto-fill features, using Microsoft Authenticator allows you to quickly access your passwords across any app on your phone, making it extremely handy if you have opted for unique details for every new account.
When is Microsoft Authenticator ending password support?
That usefulness is unfortunately set to end soon though, as Microsoft has shocked many by ending support for passwords on their Authenticator app, as reported by the Metro.
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As early as this month you won't be able to save any new passwords on the app, and from July onwards auto-fill will stop working. Worst of all, all of your passwords will then be completely deleted from the app in August, giving you only a couple more months to sort your digital life out.
Why have Microsoft removed password support?
Understandably it might seem counterintuitive for Microsoft to remove password support on its most secure platform, but their reasoning behind the shocking move is actually a case of security.
Microsoft in general is wanting to move away from character-based passwords and towards biometric-based passkeys like fingerprint or face ID locks, as it has reported a dramatic increase on the number of threat actors looking to break user passwords.
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Around 7,000 attacks are reportedly blocked per second by Microsoft alone, and phishing attacks looking to steal your information have also increased by 146% over the past year.
Whether this move from Microsoft results in a general industry shift that leaves traditional passwords in the dust is yet to be seen, but it's definitely a bold move that the company feels they have to make in order to protect its users.
How to migrate passwords from Microsoft Authenticator
Passwords in general aren't going away though, so if you use Microsoft Authenticator to store your collection then you'll want to make sure they've moved to an alternative option.
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To do this, follow the steps laid out by Microsoft to export to a different password storage platform:
- Open Microsoft Authenticator and press the three dots or three lines button, and then the 'Settings' cog
- Head into the 'Autofill' section and select 'Export Passwords'
- Press 'Export' and then select a folder where you want the file to be stored
From there you'll be able to import this file onto your designated new destination, although you'll need to make sure to complete these steps before auto-fill support ends next month.