Microsoft has finally turned a page in making the internet safer by offering protection against shared passwords. The establishment of sharing the same password among different users, for account management or accessing team resources, was a common practice but unsafe in the past. Such practices increase the likelihood of illegal access to data that might lead to a breach. At the Ignite 2024 developer conference, Microsoft revealed the solution to this problem: encrypted password sharing for users on Microsoft 365.
Simplifying Password Sharing for Microsoft 365 Users
Soon, a new feature for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3, and E5 subscribers will roll out. It lets administrators deploy encrypted passwords in the browser Microsoft Edge for both corporate and web sites. This will be shared amongst designated users, thus allowing them to log on smoothly at these web sites without ever having to see the actual passwords.
According to group product manager for Edge enterprise at Microsoft, Lindsay Kubasik, this feature diminishes the possibility of unauthorized access and enhances organizational security. Because the encrypted passwords are uniformly distributed and only to a configured group of users, it keeps any organization from being exposed to security threats. The deployment will be gradual over the next few months with the idea of improving password management for enterprise users.
Essential Security Tips for Microsoft Edge Users
While firms benefit from shared encrypted passwords, Microsoft recommends that personal consumers of the Edge browser eliminate password sharing outright. Shared password use may increase vulnerabilities and become an entry point for many cyberattacks.
For users, Edge will automatically encrypt sensitive data such as passwords, credit card details, and cookies when stored locally on a device. This means such data will stay safe, with access limited only to the logged-in user. Even if an attacker gains admin access to the device, they cannot retrieve plaintext passwords unless they also obtain the user’s operating system credentials.
Best Practices for Password Security
Microsoft is keen on proper security practice, recommending that all users employ strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and even password managers as online account protection tools. Another alternative: passkeys, essentially biometric or device-based authentication methods, can eliminate reliance on a traditional password altogether.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft’s encrypted password sharing marks a pivotal advancement in digital security for enterprise users, setting a new standard for password management. For individual users, adopting recommended security practices remains crucial to staying protected in an increasingly digital world.
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