44 million Microsoft customers found using compromised passwords
.png)
Microsoft's identity threat researchers have revealed that 44 million of its users are still using passwords that have previously been compromised in past data breaches.
The 44 million weak accounts comprised both Microsoft Services Accounts (regular users) and Azure AD accounts too, suggesting businesses are not adopting proper password hygiene.
A total of three billion user credentials were checked in a database populated from numerous sources including law enforcement and public databases.
Using the data set of three billion credentials, Microsoft was able to identify the number of users who were resuing credentials across multiple online services.
Microsoft forced a password reset for all of those users who were found to have leaked credentials during the scan which took place between January and March 2019.
"On the enterprise side, Microsoft will elevate the user risk and alert the administrator so that a credential reset can be enforced," the company said.
Microsoft also said if users are going to reuse login credentials across different services, enabling a form of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is imperative.
"MFA is an important security mechanism that can dramatically improve your security posture," it said. "Our numbers show that 99.9% of identity attacks have been thwarted by turning on MFA."
"In today's cybersecurity landscape, it couldn't be truer to say that passwords are the weakest link," said Robert Ramsden Board, VP EMEA at Securonix. "We need to create several versions of them, make them hard to guess and commit them to memory. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that password reuse is so rampant."
"Two-Factor authentication can help tackle the risk posed by password reuse," he added. "However, organisations and users should explore alternatives to the traditional text password, such as persona-based authentication."
When individuals reuse their login details with slight modifications, it's still 'incredibly' easy to break into them, according to a 2018 Virginia Tech study.
Out of 30 million users examined, 52% used modified versions of their credentials. The researchers found that even when modified, 30% of the credentials could be guessed within 10 attempts.
Earlier this year, Microsoft raised the character limit for Azure AD accounts from 16 characters to 256 which vastly improved the security of passwords and the time it would theoretically take to brute force an account.
Google released figures earlier this year which seemed to align closely with the number of weak accounts that Microsoft scanned.
Google announced that 1.5% of all account logins use compromised passwords, according to figures from its Password Checkup Chrome extension. This is not too dissimilar to Microsoft's findings which equate to 1.46% of the total number of scanned users.
source itpro
Industry: Cyber Security
Latest Jobs
-
- Architect | Cyber Security | Public sector Permanent
- Cheltenham
- N/A
-
Architect | Cyber Security | Public sector Permanent Seeking a Security Architect with Public Sector / Cloud Security experience for a lead technical role. Public sector security architecture design experience essential. (MoD) Current project experience delivering HLD / assurance of computer networks / build evaluations. Active Security clearance required. If you are open to hear about a new / exclusive opportunity where you are interested to be more than a number in a company reach out to team today. Chris.holt@dclsearch.com 07884666351
-
- CIAM Architect Azure B2C
- N/A
- N/A
-
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Azure B2C CIAM Architect for a contract starting on Jan 2024. As an Azure B2C CIAM Architect, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and deploying an new Azure B2C Solution . Responsibilities: Design and implement an Azure B2C-based CIAM solution that meets the needs of our clients organization. Maintain and support the Azure B2C-based CIAM solution. Provide training and support to our employees on the use of the CIAM solution. Background designing, implementing, and maintaining CIAM solutions. Experience with cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solutions. Experience with OAuth, OpenID Connect,and SAML. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
-
- Senior IAM Consultant
- Germany
- Upto €110,000 depending on level of position
-
Senior IAM Consultant is needed to help lead and deploy IAM Projects for this expand IAM Consultancy The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of IAM concepts and technologies, as well as experience in deploying and managing complex IAM solutions. Responsibilities Lead the deployment of IAM solutions for our clients Work with clients to understand their IAM requirements and design solutions that meet their needs Configure and implement IAM solutions using best practices Integrate IAM solutions with other enterprise systems Provide training and support to clients on the use of IAM solutions Stay up-to-date on the latest IAM technologies and trends We are looking for an experieneced IAM Consutlatn with: Strong understanding of IAM concepts and technologies,including identity lifecycle management,access control,and authentication Experience in deploying and managing complex IAM solutions Experience with IAM products and solutions,such as SailPoint,One Identity Manager,and Azure Active Directory Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Fluent in German Candidates witll need to live and have the right to work within Germany to be considered.
-
- Security Architect - SOC Design - Outside IR35 London. SC / DV cleared
- London
- Outside IR35
-
Security Architect - With in-depth SOC Design experience needed for Outside IR35 London. SC / DV cleared. 6 month rolling Immediate Experience delivering technical Security Architecture design / assurance of security design with mobile network experience. HLD / LLD Current SC Clearance a must. Willingness to undertake DV. London 3 days a week Immediately interviewing.