The Power of Passwordless Authentication Against Phishing Attacks
Perhaps unsurprisingly, phishing remains one of the most effective and costly cyber threats organisations face today. Even with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), attackers continue to find ways to trick users into revealing their credentials.
The truth is simple: as long as passwords exist, phishing will persist.
That’s why modern Zero Trust security strategies are moving toward a passwordless future. This way, authentication should be seamless for users and nearly impossible for attackers to compromise.
The Problem with Passwords
Did you know passwords have been around since ancient times? Think about sentries asking for a password at the door in order to let someone in. We have naturally been inclined to protecting certain areas for centuries. Passwords as we know them in the digital world originate back to 1960, when Fernando Corbato presented his idea without knowing the impact it would have in the coming decades.
And yet, passwords continue to be the weakest point of cybersecurity.
Attackers target passwords because they’re easy to steal, guess, or reuse. We are prone to using memorable passwords, which can unfortunately be cracked very easily.
Let’s look at some common password problems.
· Phishing Attacks: Users can be tricked into entering credentials on fake login pages.
· Password Reuse: Many people reuse passwords across multiple services.
· Weak Complexity: Simple or predictable passwords are easily guessed or brute-forced.
· High Management Overhead: Password resets and lockouts waste valuable IT time.
In a Zero Trust environment, where every access request must be verified and validated, passwords simply don’t meet the standard.
The Solution: Passwordless Authentication
Passwordless authentication replaces passwords with stronger, phishing-resistant methods that use cryptographic keys, biometrics, or trusted devices.
Instead of relying on something you know (like a password), users prove their identity through something they are (like a fingerprint or facial scan) or something they have (like a hardware key or secure device).
Why Passwordless Works
· Phishing Resistant: Credentials are never transmitted or shared, making them impossible to steal.
· Stronger Security: Asymmetric encryption replaces vulnerable shared secrets.
· Improved User Experience: Fast, simple sign-ins with no passwords to remember or reset.
· Reduced Attack Surface: Eliminating passwords removes one of the top targets for attackers.
Meet Windows Hello and FIDO2
If you already use Microsoft’s products, rejoice! Microsoft’s passwordless technologies, Windows Hello for Business and FIDO2, are leading the way in helping organisations achieve both security and simplicity.
Windows Hello for Business
With Windows Hello, users sign in using a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint, all securely linked to their specific device.
If it’s not immediately obvious how they strengthen your defences, here are a few features to think about:
· Authentication keys are stored securely in the device’s Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
· A private key stays on the device, while a public key is registered with your identity provider.
· Even if a phishing attempt redirects a user to a fake site, there’s no password to capture.
FIDO2 Security Keys
For users who use multiple devices or need portable security, FIDO2 offers passwordless authentication that works everywhere.
Using hardware security keys or built-in device authenticators, users can log into:
· Microsoft Entra ID
· Microsoft 365
· Thousands of FIDO2-supported web apps
Why you should adopt Zero Trust
A true Zero Trust identity strategy goes beyond verification. No more blind trust – instead, just a combination of Just-In-Time access (via Microsoft Entra PIM) and passwordless authentication (via Windows Hello and FIDO2).
That helps you build a layered defense where all administrative access is controlled, and attackers can’t ever gain any ground.
