Microsoft announces the possibility of logging in to accounts without a password .. But what is the alternative?

Microsoft has announced that all users can now sign in to their accounts "without a password", using other methods such as fingerprints.

The company's move follows the initial rollout of this feature to Microsoft's commercial customers in March 2021.

According to the company, almost all employees are already taking advantage of the passwordless login features.

She explained that the problem with passwords is that they can be guessed or stolen, and when they are detailed enough to be secure they are generally difficult to remember.

In contrast, they said, only appropriate users could provide their fingerprint or reply using the authentication app on their phone.

However, it is not clear how secure a person's account will be if the phone containing the authentication app is hacked.

No Password will not work with some older devices and platforms - including Xbox 360, Office 2010 and Windows 8.1 (Windows 8.1) consoles.

"No one likes passwords," Vasu Jakal, Microsoft's vice president of security, compliance, and identity, wrote in a blog post. "They are inconvenient, and a prime target for attacks. Yet for years, they have been the most important layer of security for everything in our digital lives, from email to accounts. Banking, shopping carts and video games. We are expected to create and remember complex, unique passwords, and change them frequently, but no one likes to do that either. For the past two years, we've said the future is passwordless, and today I'm excited to announce the next step in this Vision".

Lack of Password won't work with some older devices and platforms, including Xbox 360 consoles (Reuters)

"Starting today, you can now completely remove the password from your Microsoft account. Use the Microsoft Authenticator app or

Windows Hello, a security key or verification code sent to your phone or email to sign in to your favorite apps and services, such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft OneDrive, and Microsoft Family Microsoft Family Safety and more.

"This feature will be rolled out in the coming weeks," he concluded.

According to Microsoft, users who enable the "do not use password" feature and then lose access to their authentication app can resort to a number of backup login options.

This includes facial recognition (if available), a physical security key or the use of SMS or email codes.

And more companies will be headed toward this, as Apple added features in iOS 15 to prepare for similar moves toward more secure logins and to forgo the use of passwords.