Microsoft is changing the way you sign in to a Microsoft account. Starting next month, you will no longer be logged out automatically. So be sure to log out if you’re using a public computer or your friend’s computer.
Currently, if you sign in to a Microsoft account, a message will always ask you if you want to stay signed in, so you don’t have to sign in again next time. Microsoft’s change to automatically staying logged in means you’ll need to use an incognito window on public computers or make sure to log out at the end of your session, otherwise the account will remain logged in, open to anyone who opens a page Microsoft.
Don’t fall easy prey to scammers, so understanding this change could make a big difference to your online security.
What should you do?
If you’re using a public computer, the best solution is to use private browsing and remind yourself every time to log out. This is a practice that Gmail users have become accustomed to.
Access key support – end of passwords
Microsoft has slowly added support for access keys (passkeys) to its systems, in order to encourage its customers to abandon passwords. It kicked off last May, when Microsoft announced key support for Xbox, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Copilot users.
-In a blog post in December, the company declared that “the era of passwords is over.” She added that “malicious actors know this,” which has led to a surge in password-related attacks.
With its data centers, Microsoft blocks 7,000 password attacks per second, almost twice as many as a year ago. At the same time, phishing attacks increased 146% year over year, according to the company.
The advantages of access keys
Access keys can be a fingerprint, facial scan, or PIN, and Microsoft says they are much more effective against hacking than passwords.
Access keys have notable benefits, especially for those of us who neglect our passwords. Like fingerprints or faces, passkeys can’t be lost, after all. They are also a better defense against phishing attacks.
