Microsoft and Google Issue Password Warning
Entering your Google or Microsoft password may become a thing of the past soon as some of the world’s biggest tech providers encourage users to switch to passkeys and use multi-factor authentication instead.
Recent revelations that millions of internet users’ credentials have been leaked over the past few years have added fuel to concerns over password safety. Let’s take a look at the situation and find out why it’s better to switch away from manual password entry and opt for more secure options.
The message from Google and Microsoft: Stop using passwords
If you still use passwords to access your personal and business Google or Microsoft accounts, you could be putting your data at serious risk.
Both tech giants have warned that traditional passwords are no longer enough to protect against modern cyber threats and they are encouraging users to adopt passkeys, a more secure alternative.
- The growing threat of phishing attacks, password leaks, and credential theft has made passwords one of the weakest links in online security.
- With 65% of SA internet customers signing in with Google, especially in the 80% Android-dominated smartphone market, a compromised Gmail password could spell disaster for tens of millions of local users.
Google reports that stolen or guessed passwords remain one of the most common ways hackers gain access to personal accounts.
Passkeys offer a safer, more convenient way to log in and access online services that allow Google credential verification.
Unlike passwords, passkeys use cryptographic keys stored on your device, protected by biometrics like a fingerprint or facial recognition, or a PIN. Since there’s no password to remember, there’s also nothing for cybercriminals to steal through phishing or social engineering attacks.
Major tech players move to phase in passkeys and MFA
For the likes of Google and Microsoft, the migration away from passwords can’t come soon enough.
Google has already taken major steps to promote passkey adoption. The company recently made passkeys the default login option for all Google accounts, and over 400 million accounts are already using the technology.
Microsoft is following suit, stating that the password era is ending. It has begun removing saved passwords from its apps and services to encourage users to switch to passwordless logins.
If you haven’t switched over yet, we recommend doing so as soon as possible. This is especially true for important accounts like email, cloud storage accounts, and online banking.
- Setting up passkeys is simple and can usually be done through your account settings on Google or Microsoft platforms.
- For accounts where passkeys aren’t yet available, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), preferably using an authentication app rather than SMS codes, is a viable alternative. This will help secure your account without exposing you to the risk of SIM card cloning.
However you decide to secure your accounts, there’s no better time than now to raise your cybersecurity defences.
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