Office 365 Password Manager

[Mette Florida]

Usinga password manager can help users generate stronger passwords, manage multiple credentials, and enhance security by storing passwords in an encrypted format. A password manager can also simplify the process of password resets and provide an added layer of protection against unauthorized access to accounts. While Office 365 does not offer a native password manager, users can still benefit from utilizing third-party solutions for improved password management practices.

A: Yes, Office 365 does not have a built-in password manager like some other platforms, but it does offer integration with popular password managers like LastPass Business and Enpass Business. These password managers can be used to securely store and manage all your passwords for different online accounts.

Q: What are the advantages of using a dedicated password manager with Office 365?

A: Using a dedicated password manager provides an additional layer of security by storing all your passwords in one secure location. It allows you to create and store complex passwords for all your online accounts, making it harder for attackers to access your information. Additionally, some password managers offer features like breach monitoring and dark web monitoring to alert you if your passwords are compromised.

Q: Can I use a password manager on mobile devices with Office 365?

A: Yes, most password managers have mobile apps that can be downloaded on Android devices or iPhones. This allows you to access your stored passwords on the go and autofill login information when using apps or websites on your mobile device.

Q: How does using a password manager improve password security for business accounts in Office 365?

A: By using a password manager, businesses can enforce the use of strong, complex passwords for all employee accounts. This helps prevent security breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Additionally, password managers can facilitate the secure sharing of access to business accounts among team members.

Q: What additional features do popular password managers offer for Office 365 users?

A: Popular password managers like LastPass Business and Enpass Business offer advanced features such as time-based one-time passwords, alerts for password hygiene, and all-around good value password management. They also provide additional user authentication options, authentication via hardware security keys, and consultations with customers to enhance the authentication experience for enterprises.

Sources: LastPass Business, Enpass Business

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Microsoft Authenticator can generate, store, and apply passwords at websites via an autofill feature. Beyond supporting iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices, the autofill option works in the desktop flavors of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge via an extension.

If you need to download Microsoft Authenticator on your mobile device, grab it for iOS, iPadOS, or Android. Open the app and tap the Passwords icon on the bottom toolbar. Tap the button at the bottom to sync with your account.

On an iPhone, tap the three-dot icon at the bottom of the screen and select Password Manager. Swipe to the bottom of the screen and tap Export Passwords. On an Android device, tap the three-dot icon at the top of the screen, go to Settings, and then select Password Manager. Tap the Settings icon and then tap Export Passwords.

Whether you export the passwords on your mobile device or PC, you'll need to make the CSV file available for your device, which you can do by copying it to a backup and sharing service, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud.

In the Microsoft Authenticator app, tap the notice asking if you have passwords saved in other apps or go to Settings and select the setting for Import from Password Managers. Choose your password manager. Navigate to the location and folder where you saved the CSV file and select it. Your imported passwords then appear.

Of course, you can also manually add a new account to the app. At the Passwords screen, tap the + sign to add a password. Then type the URL, username, and password for the website account you want to add. When done, tap Save.

Microsoft Authenticator can create a password for a new account or an existing account. In the iPhone app, tap the three-dot icon and select Password Generator. In the Android version, tap the + icon and select Generate password.

Tap the link for Customize Password to set the complexity and length for the password, opting to include or exclude letters, numbers, and special characters. Tap the refresh icon to generate a different password.

The Authenticator app will automatically fill in your username and password for saved online accounts. But first, you need to enable the feature. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Passwords > Password Options. Turn on the switch for AutoFill Passwords and select Authenticator to make it the default autofill app. Also, uncheck any other apps in the autofill list. On an Android phone, go to Settings in the Authenticator app. Turn on the switches for Set as autofill provider and AutoFill on more apps and sites.

On an iPhone, autofill from third-party apps, such as Microsoft Authenticator, works only with Safari. But you can also use it with any app that needs a login. Open Safari and browse to one of the websites or open one of the apps for which your credentials are stored in the Authenticator app. Tap the field for username. In some cases, a button for Authenticator will display your correct name. If so, tap that button. Tap the field for password and then tap the button for your account name.

On an Android phone, the autofill process is similar to on an iPhone. Open your preferred browser or open a specific app. Tap the username field, and the account name from the Authenticator app will appear above or below the field. Tap that name. For the password field, the account name appears above the keyboard. Tap that name and then sign in to the Authenticator app. The username and password fields should both be populated, allowing you to sign in to the site or app.

In Chrome or Edge, go to the Chrome web store link for Microsoft AutoFill and add the extension to the browser. Browse to a site for which the account is saved in Authenticator. Click the username field, and your account name should appear below it. Click the name, and Authenticator will sign you in to the site.

Remembering a lot of passwords is difficult, but security experts (including ISO) recommend that you DO NOT reuse passwords. So, how do you manage the hundreds or even thousands of passwords you need to remember in your daily life?

Passwords managers help you generate unique and strong passwords, store them in one safe (encrypted) place, and use them while only needing to remember one master password. The master password unlocks your encrypted vault which grants you access to each of your passwords.

If you are considering a password manager, the biggest decision to make is whether you want your passwords to be stored locally on your own computers and mobile devices, or in the cloud on someone else's servers.

Local storage hampers the user experience but forces hackers to resort to difficult malware-based approaches like using keyloggers and other advanced tools. Since the password is stored on the user's device, the user has total control over its security.

Password manager licenses can only be used on one device, meaning multiple licenses need to be purchased for every single device needed to sync passwords. If the device is lost and/or stolen the passwords are all compromised.

Cloud storage improves accessibility and user convenience. Since encrypted passwords are stored on cloud servers, users can access them from any number of devices and sync passwords between devices relatively easily without any required additional steps. These services keep encrypted copies of your vault on their own servers, ensure that all your devices are always synced and encrypt the transmissions between your devices and their servers. Cloud storage also makes passwords recoverable if the user loses the device.

The downside of cloud storage is that the user cannot ensure the security of the data. The risk, though small, is that one of the cloud-based services could be breached and your passwords released out into the wild. If a password manager is doing it's job right, it is storing all your passwords in an encrypted format, and storing your master password only as a "hash" that's the result of an irreversible mathematical process.

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