Good news for Microsoft users: no more logging out after a period of inactivity. Starting next month, if you’re logged in to your Microsoft account (Outlook, OneDrive, Office online…), you’ll stay there, without having to log in again and again.
A real gain in convenience, especially for those who juggle several applications. But like all good technological news, it comes with its share of responsibilities…
Beware of shared computers
While this new feature may be practical on your personal computer, it can pose a problem on a shared device. If you log on to a colleague’s computer or in a public space, remember to log off manually.
Otherwise, whoever comes after you could access your account, read your e-mails, or worse… send a strange message to your boss!
A good reflex: private browsing
If you need to log in on a device that isn’t yours, activate private browsing. Once the window is closed, no trace will be kept: no history, no saved identifiers, nothing.
Towards the end of passwords with passkeys?
At the same time, Microsoft is encouraging the adoption of passkeys to replace traditional passwords. Rather than having to remember an endless series of characters (and end up using “Password123 ”), you can use more secure methods such as :
- Your fingerprint
- Facial recognition
- A secure PIN code
Passkeys represent an evolution of MFA (multifactor authentication). Today, we’re still at a crossroads between the two technologies: MFA adds a layer of security by requiring additional validation (unique code, authentication application…), while passkeys enable a secure connection without a password at all (passwordless). In a few years’ time, it’s a safe bet that MFA as we know it will disappear in favor of passkeys.
At Mon Technicien, we strongly recommend activating MFA to limit risks and effectively secure access to your accounts. The objective remains the same: to reinforce security while maintaining fast, simple access. Microsoft currently blocks 7,000 password attacks per second (yes, that’s a lot!). By combining modern methods such as access keys and MFA, the risks of hacking are drastically reduced.
If you haven’t activated it yet, now might be a good time to think about it! And if you need a hand, we’re here to help.
Staying connected, yes… but in complete safety
The end of automatic disconnections at Microsoft simplifies life for users, but it also reminds us of the importance of remaining vigilant, especially on shared devices. With the evolution of technologies such as access keys and MFA, cybersecurity is becoming more intuitive and more effective.
At Mon Technicien, we firmly believe that the best protection is prevention. So it’s a good idea to adopt best practices now to avoid unpleasant surprises. After all, it’s better to secure your access before someone else does it for you!
Thought for the day:
It’s practical not to be automatically disconnected… but you still need to know when it’s best to do it yourself. Like leaving a party: leaving at the right time saves a lot of trouble! 🎉