{"id":23140,"date":"2025-06-18T17:45:53","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T12:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/?p=23140"},"modified":"2025-06-18T17:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T12:46:10","slug":"microsoft-starts-deleting-your-passwords-in-6-weeks-act-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/microsoft-starts-deleting-your-passwords-in-6-weeks-act-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft Starts Deleting Your Passwords In 6 Weeks\u2014Act Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 data-start=\"155\" data-end=\"203\">Introduction: The Password Era is Ending<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"205\" data-end=\"683\">We\u2019ve long relied on passwords to protect our digital lives \u2014 from email accounts and social media platforms to banking apps and cloud storage. But that era is coming to an end, and tech giants are making that transition clear. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"451\">Microsoft<\/strong> <\/a>and <strong data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"466\">Google<\/strong> are now urgently urging their users to move away from passwords and shift toward <strong data-start=\"548\" data-end=\"560\">passkeys<\/strong>, a newer, more secure form of authentication that promises to solve many of the issues that traditional passwords present.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"685\" data-end=\"825\">With billions of users affected by this shift, it\u2019s not just a simple update \u2014 it\u2019s a major overhaul in how we think about digital security.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"866\">The Problem with Passwords<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"868\" data-end=\"1112\">Passwords have always been the first line of defense online, but they come with serious limitations. According to a recent warning from <strong data-start=\"1004\" data-end=\"1012\">CNET<\/strong>, half of all internet users in the U.S. continue to exhibit risky password behavior. This includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1168\">Reusing the same password across multiple accounts<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1171\" data-end=\"1202\">Sharing passwords with others<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1205\" data-end=\"1271\">Using weak or easily guessed passwords like \u201c123456\u201d or \u201cpassword\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1466\">These habits expose users to <strong data-start=\"1302\" data-end=\"1322\">phishing attacks<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1341\">data breaches<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1370\">unauthorized access<\/strong>, making them vulnerable in a world where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1468\" data-end=\"1717\">Even so, <strong data-start=\"1477\" data-end=\"1536\">many users still haven\u2019t adopted basic safety practices<\/strong>, such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). Google has emphasized that a large portion of its user base still depends on outdated login methods \u2014 and that\u2019s a major concern.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1750\">What Are Passkeys?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1752\" data-end=\"1970\">Passkeys are the modern solution to password vulnerabilities. Instead of typing in a word or phrase, passkeys use cryptographic security and biometrics (like fingerprints or facial recognition) to log you in. They are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"2078\"><strong data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"1996\">Phishing-resistant<\/strong>: Since there\u2019s no password to steal, hackers can\u2019t trick you into giving it up.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2081\" data-end=\"2163\"><strong data-start=\"2081\" data-end=\"2098\">Easier to use<\/strong>: You can sign in with a fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2287\"><strong data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2187\">Stronger security<\/strong>: Unlike passwords, passkeys are tied to your device and can&#8217;t be reused across different platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2477\">Passkeys are now supported across major platforms, including Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS \u2014 and companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple are all integrating them into their systems.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2484\" data-end=\"2530\">Microsoft\u2019s Urgent Transition Timeline<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2532\" data-end=\"2664\">Microsoft has begun a formal countdown to retire password-related features in its <strong data-start=\"2614\" data-end=\"2635\">Authenticator app<\/strong>, and the timeline is strict:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2773\"><strong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2681\">June 2025<\/strong>: You will no longer be able to <strong data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"2735\">save new passwords<\/strong> in the Microsoft Authenticator app.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2776\" data-end=\"2844\"><strong data-start=\"2776\" data-end=\"2789\">July 2025<\/strong>: <strong data-start=\"2791\" data-end=\"2825\">Autofill support for passwords<\/strong> will be removed.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2847\" data-end=\"2950\"><strong data-start=\"2847\" data-end=\"2862\">August 2025<\/strong>: All previously <strong data-start=\"2879\" data-end=\"2919\">saved passwords will be inaccessible<\/strong> through the Authenticator app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2952\" data-end=\"3047\">This is more than just a cleanup of features \u2014 it\u2019s a major push for users to embrace passkeys.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3049\" data-end=\"3319\">Microsoft is encouraging users to either transition their saved passwords to <strong data-start=\"3126\" data-end=\"3144\">Microsoft Edge<\/strong> or \u2014 better yet \u2014 to <strong data-start=\"3166\" data-end=\"3207\">replace those passwords with passkeys<\/strong>. The Edge browser now includes options to sync passwords and addresses securely through your Microsoft account.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3321\" data-end=\"3552\">Additionally, the Authenticator app will continue supporting passkeys and must remain enabled if you\u2019ve already set up passkeys on your Microsoft account. <strong data-start=\"3476\" data-end=\"3531\">Turning off the app will also disable your passkeys<\/strong>, cutting off access.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3615\">Google\u2019s Warning: Most Users Still Not Protected<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3617\" data-end=\"3879\">Google has echoed Microsoft\u2019s concerns. In its recent announcements, Google revealed that the <strong data-start=\"3711\" data-end=\"3781\">majority of its users are still relying on passwords and basic 2FA<\/strong>, despite the increasing threats and the company\u2019s efforts to simplify the transition to passkeys.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3881\" data-end=\"4161\">This slow adoption rate is alarming because cybercriminals are already aware of the shift. Microsoft warns that attackers are <strong data-start=\"4007\" data-end=\"4048\">intensifying password-related attacks<\/strong> before users completely migrate to passkeys. It\u2019s a race against time \u2014 and one that users can\u2019t afford to lose.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4163\" data-end=\"4305\">Google has already started upgrading millions of accounts to passkey support, and it\u2019s now up to users to take the final step and switch over.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4312\" data-end=\"4363\">Why Now? The Rising Threat of Cyber Attacks<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4365\" data-end=\"4481\">The pressure to leave passwords behind is fueled by a steep rise in cyberattacks globally. Hackers use tactics like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"4485\" data-end=\"4553\"><strong data-start=\"4485\" data-end=\"4504\">Phishing emails<\/strong> to trick users into entering their credentials<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4556\" data-end=\"4622\"><strong data-start=\"4556\" data-end=\"4570\">Data leaks<\/strong> from breached websites, exposing reused passwords<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4625\" data-end=\"4728\"><strong data-start=\"4625\" data-end=\"4648\">Credential stuffing<\/strong>, where leaked password databases are used to gain access to multiple accounts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4730\" data-end=\"4901\">Microsoft has said clearly: \u201cBad actors know users are slowly moving away from passwords, which is why they\u2019re accelerating password-related attacks while they still can.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4903\" data-end=\"5128\">Passkeys, in contrast, don\u2019t rely on something you know (like a password) but on something you <strong data-start=\"4998\" data-end=\"5006\">have<\/strong> (your device) and something you <strong data-start=\"5039\" data-end=\"5046\">are<\/strong> (biometrics). This dual factor eliminates most of the traditional attack vectors.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5135\" data-end=\"5166\">What Should You Do Now?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5168\" data-end=\"5334\">If you use a Microsoft or Google account \u2014 or frankly any digital platform \u2014 the time to act is <strong data-start=\"5264\" data-end=\"5271\">now<\/strong>. Here\u2019s how you can begin your transition away from passwords:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-start=\"5339\" data-end=\"5405\">Enable Passkeys on your Microsoft, Google, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/apple-loses-control-over-app-payment-links-in-us\/\">Apple<\/a> accounts.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5409\" data-end=\"5502\">Use a Passkey-Compatible Device, such as a phone or laptop with biometric authentication.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5506\" data-end=\"5641\">Update Your Authenticator App, if you&#8217;re using Microsoft Authenticator, and back up any passwords you may lose after the phase-out.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5645\" data-end=\"5759\">Use Edge or Chrome to store credentials if you&#8217;re not ready to fully switch \u2014 but aim to move toward passkeys.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5763\" data-end=\"5911\">Delete or avoid using weak passwords, and enable passkeys wherever they\u2019re available \u2014 especially for sensitive accounts like banking and email.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-start=\"5918\" data-end=\"5976\">The Bigger Picture: The Future of Digital Security<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5978\" data-end=\"6233\">This transition to passkeys isn\u2019t just a temporary trend \u2014 it\u2019s the future of authentication. Big tech companies agree that <strong data-start=\"6102\" data-end=\"6137\">passwords have run their course<\/strong>, and the vulnerabilities they present are no longer acceptable in the modern digital landscape.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6235\" data-end=\"6405\">We\u2019re entering a new phase where <strong data-start=\"6268\" data-end=\"6302\">your identity becomes your key<\/strong>, and this promises a much safer, faster, and smoother user experience across all devices and services.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6412\" data-end=\"6456\">Summary<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6458\" data-end=\"6670\">The era of passwords is drawing to a close \u2014 and not a moment too soon. Microsoft and Google are both sending a strong message: adapt now or risk being left behind in an increasingly dangerous online environment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6672\" data-end=\"6889\"><strong data-start=\"6672\" data-end=\"6699\">Passkeys are the future<\/strong> \u2014 they offer better security, greater ease of use, and fewer points of failure. With deadlines approaching fast, now is the time for individuals and businesses alike to embrace this change.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6891\" data-end=\"7078\">If you\u2019re still using weak, repeated, or shared passwords, it\u2019s time to evolve. Upgrade your accounts, set up passkeys, and stay ahead of the curve \u2014 before the threats catch up with you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction: The Password Era is Ending We\u2019ve long relied on passwords to protect our digital lives \u2014 from email accounts and social media platforms to banking apps and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":23143,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1713],"tags":[7005,7004,7008,7009,7006,7007,7003],"class_list":["post-23140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technews","tag-and-the-timeline-is-strict","tag-authenticator-app","tag-especially-for-sensitive-accounts-like-banking-and-email","tag-google-are-both-sending-a-strong-message","tag-hackers-use-tactics-like","tag-most-of-the-traditional-attack-vectors","tag-that-traditional-passwords-present"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23140"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23144,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23140\/revisions\/23144"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandligo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}