Microsoft Fast Forwards Quantum Computing

This Week in IT, Microsoft makes a significant breakthrough in the race to build commercially useful quantum computers, File Explorer gets cleaned up, and Russian hackers are targeting 2FA codes again.

Links and resources

• Microsoft unveils Majorana 1, the world’s first quantum processor powered by topological qubits – https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2025/02/19/microsoft-unveils-majorana-1-the-worlds-first-quantum-processor-powered-by-topological-qubits/
• Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip carves new path for quantum computing – https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microsofts-majorana-1-chip-carves-new-path-for-quantum-computing/
• Microsoft declutters Windows 11 File Explorer in the name of Euro privacy – https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/19/windows_11_24h2_preview
• Russian Hackers Use Device Code Phishing to Hijack Microsoft 365 Accounts – https://petri.com/russian-hackers-device-code-phishing-steal-emails/
• Storm-2372 conducts device code phishing campaign – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/02/13/storm-2372-conducts-device-code-phishing-campaign/

Episode overview

This Week in IT, Russell covers Microsoft’s quantum computing breakthrough, File Explorer updates, and Russian hacker attacks on multi-factor authentication codes.

• Microsoft’s Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Microsoft announced a significant breakthrough in quantum computing with its Majorana 1 chip, which uses a new architecture based on indium arsenide, allowing for potentially scalable quantum processors.
• Quantum Computing Challenges: Despite the breakthrough, achieving commercially useful quantum computing with a million qubits could still take decades, and current cryptography standards may become obsolete with this technology.
• File Explorer Updates: Microsoft is streamlining features in File Explorer for Windows 11 24H2, particularly for European users due to EU regulations, and improving performance for OneDrive users.
• OneDrive and Copilot+ PC Updates: New features in OneDrive include resuming work on a file from a mobile device and deleting existing snapshots for Copilot+ PC users.
• Russian Hackers Targeting MFA: Russian hacker group Storm 2372 is using the Microsoft Graph API to phish two-factor authentication codes and access Microsoft 365 accounts, highlighting the need for Conditional Access policies.
• Device Code Flow Precautions: Microsoft advises limiting device code flow to necessary applications and controlling it with Conditional Access policies to enhance security.