Passwordless Sign-Ins Now Available to Microsoft Edge Users on Windows

• Microsoft announced a new update for Microsoft Edge for Windows which makes use of the new web authentication specification.
• With the new update, Edge users will be able to auto-fill passwords using facial recognition, fingerprints, pins or portable FIDO2 devices.
• The new update makes it hard for cybercriminals to leverage commonly used phishing or cracking methods.

With data leaks and breaches on the rise, web security is more important than ever, and Microsoft is taking steps to secure its OS. The tech giant is trying to promote a passwordless experience on the internet with its new update to Microsoft Edge for Windows. The latest update added web authentication specification which allows users to authorize sign-ins without requiring a password.

Users can use fingerprints, facial recognition, pins and FIDO2 keys to make use of the web authentication specification or opt for a PIN-based security measure. The update allows Microsoft to secure all of your passwords and automatically enter them whenever you visit a website. It works like autofill services but with an added layer of protection.

Web authentication API has been around for quite some time, and Microsoft has been working on its implementation in Edge since 2016. Microsoft Program Managers Angelo Liao and Ibrahim Damlaj revealed “we have been updating our implementation to as we worked with other vendors and the FIDO alliance to develop the standard. In March, the FIDO Alliance announced that the Web Authentication APIs have reached Candidate Recommendation (CR) status in the W3C, a major milestone for the maturity and interoperability of the specification.”

Build 17723 of Microsoft Edge implements the new web authentication framework and if you have biometric devices or a hardware security key, you can take full advantage of the update. Alternatively, you can use an extra PIN to autofill and login to websites on the browser. The passwordless sign-ins are limited to only websites that allow web authentication. Many popular sites like Google, Facebook, Outlook, and others have already implemented the API so you should not have trouble browsing popular and secure websites using your preferred authentication method. If a website has not implemented web authentication specification yet, you can use your password to log in like you normally do.

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