Windows very recently announced their plan to completely do away with password logins for Windows 10 computers, deciding to go the way of cell phone and other mobile gadgets by pushing users to rely on biometrics or PIN numbers. It seems as though the “desktop” has finally caught up with the mobile, albeit with one BIG difference: Microsoft won’t even allow the option of a password.
This is all because Microsoft is finally enforcing something everyone in the tech community already knows: PIN numbers are more secure than the average password. Many people share passwords across multiple platforms and devices against the advice of all security and technology experts, and we all know when a shared password becomes compromised on one platform, it compromises ALL the platforms and devices where the password is used. This has a compound effect that many people don’t consider: with the use of single sign-on availability with platforms like Facebook and Google, if (when) that password is compromised, it compromises EVERY account associated with that email address.
This is why we preach 2-Factor Authentication (2FA).
Luckily for the masses, Microsoft is making it a little easier (than 2FA) by allowing folks to use a PIN number. If you are ready to take advantage of this, and maintain your Windows updates as you should, you can turn this feature on now and make yourself (more?) secure. Details on this, and other changes with the latest Windows update are in this link.
Go forth and be secure!