# Microsoft to kill passwords by 2021; Here's what it will do (HT Tech)

> In the blog post, the company has stated that almost 80% of the cyber-attacks are targeted towards the password with every 250 corporate accounts being hacked every day.

# Microsoft to kill passwords by 2021; Here's what it will do

## In the blog post, the company has stated that almost 80% of the cyber-attacks are targeted towards the password with every 250 corporate accounts being hacked every day.

Dec 20 2020, 19:54 IST

![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png)

![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png)

![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png)

![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png)

![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png)

![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png)

![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png)

![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png)

![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png)

![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png)

![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png)

![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png)

![Representational image.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2020/12/20/1600x900/microsoft_passwordless_(1)_1608474177972_1608474189250.jpg)

Representational image. (Microsoft)

![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png)

### By HT TECH

Looks like Microsoft is about to completely change how we unlock our laptops and smartphones. In the latest blog post the company has spoken about its efforts in moving towards a passwordless future and its intentions to reach that stage in 2021.

In the blog post, the company has stated that almost 80% of the cyber-attacks are targeted towards the password with every 250 corporate accounts being hacked every day. And this has pushed the company to bring a password free solution.

“In November 2019 at Microsoft Ignite, we shared that more than 100 million people were already using Microsoft’s passwordless sign-in each month. In May of 2020, just in time for World Password Day, that number had already grown to more than 150 million people, and the use of biometrics to access work accounts is now almost double what it was then. We’ve drawn strength from our customers’ determination this year and are set to make passwordless access a reality for all our customers in 2021,” said the company blog post.

Also read

click here.

Also read: Microsoft designing its own chips for servers, Surface PCs

The firm adds that, along with new UX and API's for managing FIDO2 security keys, enabling customers to develop custom solutions and tools, it has also planned to release a converged registration portal in 2021. This will help users manage their passwordless credentials via the ‘My Apps’ portal.

As per the firm, passwordless usage in Azure Active Directory has gone up by over 50% for Windows Hello for Business, passwordless phone sign in with Microsoft authenticator and FIDO2 security keys.

It has been mentioned that there are over 150 million total passwordless users across Azure Active Directory and Microsoft consumer accounts. The number of consumers using Windows Hello to sign in Windows 10 devices, instead of password, grew to 84.7% from 69.4% last year.

Microsoft is not new to working on passwordless future. The company has been trying to bring more light to this transition since years. Back in February this year, the company announced a preview of Azure Active Directory support for FIDO2 security keys in hybrid environments.

Also read: Microsoft says it found malicious software in its systems

With FIDO2, it enabled users with security keys to access their hybrid Azure Active Directory Windows 10 devices with seamless sign in providing secure access to on-premises and cloud resources with a strong hardware backed public and private key credential.

In September this year the company, during its Microsoft Ignite conference revealed the new passwordless wizard available through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

And in November, the company once again stressed on how FIDO2 is a critical part of Microsoft's passwordless vision.

It is worth adding that besides Microsoft, Apple is also working on this feature. The iPhone maker has stressed a lot on its Touch ID, Apple ID log-in system and Face ID in laptops, mac and iPhones.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

20 Dec, 19:54 IST

### Related Stories

29 Sept 2026

71,608,474,087,113

NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png)

## Tips & Tricks

![Ghibli-style art](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2025/03/28/414x233/ChatGPT_Ghibli_style_images_1743161814450_1743161814596.jpg)

### How to turn your photos into Ghibli-style art with ChatGPT for free: Step-by-step guide

![How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2025/02/14/414x233/invites_1738728829564_1739543695649.png)

### How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide

![Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2025/02/13/414x233/unnamed_1739426557335_1739426567634.jpg)

### Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it

![Vodafone Idea OTT plans](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Vodafone Idea users can now stream 17 OTT apps with one subscription: Here's how

![Android data transfer methods](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### How to transfer data from one Android to another using Google backup, USB-C cable, and more

## Editor’s Pick

![iPhone 16e launched with A18 chip, Apple AI—bringing flagship power on a budget: Check specs, price](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### iPhone 16e launched in India: All details about the new budget mobile from Apple

![DeepSeek was founded in China with only a fraction of the budget of the top AI companies in the US.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### DeepSeek AI: How it works, who’s behind it, how it’s different from ChatGPT, and its big US market impact explained

![iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on

![Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini

![iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update

## Trending Stories

![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order

![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC

![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more

![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report

![CMF Buds 2](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside

keep up with tech

![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png)

![Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-twitter.png)

![WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-whatsApp.png)

![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png)

## Gaming

![Check out these five gaming monitors under  <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>20,000,](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Top 5 gaming monitors under ₹20000 you should consider

![gaming consoles](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Grab gaming consoles at discounted rates during Amazon Great Indian Festival: Up to 72% off

![Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025 to bring Grimmsnarl family, Shiny Hatenna, and global challenges

![Shade Silver](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Shade Silver free on Steam for a limited time: Here’s how to get it

![Call of duty](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png)

### Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 skips Switch 2 at launch, release date and price leak

![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png)

## Trending News

### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order

![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif)

### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC

![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif)

### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more

![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif)

### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report

![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif)

### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside

![CMF Buds 2](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif)

## Trending Gadgets

Mobiles

Laptops

Tablets

![HT Tech](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HT_tech-new.gif)

- https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/microsoft-to-kill-passwords-by-2021-here-s-what-it-will-do-71608474087113.html