Two-Factor Authentication Reportedly Coming to Microsoft Accounts

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Following in the footsteps of companies such as Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft reportedly will be getting support for two-factor authentication to Accounts. According to LiveSide.net, account holders will be required to enter a security code generated by an authenticator app on their phone when they log into Microsoft Account. However, devices included in your Trusted PC list, which you can add to via Microsoft account, won’t be required to enter a security code to log in.

Two-factor authentication of this type is traditionally used as a way to prevent password theft. Sadly, LiveSide says Microsoft’s system won’t work with linked accounts, forcing users to unlink accounts before protecting themselves. No official timing has been announced regarding the availability of this feature, but there is already an Authenticator app available in the Windows Phone store. Microsoft, presumably, just needs to turn the feature on at account.live.com.

Microsoft is reportedly already preparing workarounds to anticipated hiccups such as the fact that the Mail app may not work properly with two-step account verification. Using a rumored App password feature, if you have two-factor authentication enabled but you want to access an app or service that doesn’t support it, you’ll need to generate an app password from Microsoft Account, which you’ll then need to enter to use the app or service you’re trying to use.

Blizzard Entertainment implemented a similar security structure around the time that Diablo III was released, which was rife with security holes that were regularly exploited by hackers shortly after the game’s launch. Since the authenticator was implemented by Blizzard, instances of hacking have decreased drastically.

Posted:
Related Forum: PC General Forum

Source: http://blog.laptopmag.com/two-factor-authentication-reportedly-coming-to-microsoft-account

Comments

"Two-Factor Authentication Reportedly Coming to Microsoft Accounts" :: Login/Create an Account :: 42 comments

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doubln4ti0nPosted:

ME0W
J-E-T-S The people who get hacked are generally technology impared idiots or "I will trust anyone" people.


Yea this probably won't help them.


I know i've never had any problems.

EulerPosted:

Origamo
Leak This will make accounts so much safer :)


I hope so.


I hope so too, but like other people said, I don't think this will help those who are technologically impaired.

SynybunPosted:

J-E-T-S The people who get hacked are generally technology impared idiots or "I will trust anyone" people.


Yea this probably won't help them.

OrigamoPosted:

Leak This will make accounts so much safer :)


I hope so.

IlIuminatiPosted:

This will make accounts so much safer :)

J-E-T-SPosted:

The people who get hacked are generally technology impared idiots or "I will trust anyone" people.

KikPosted:

It might make accounts safer, but it will be annoying when you have to do the 2 step verification every time you just want to check something.

undisclosedPosted:

I hate security steps when I just want to check something on my account. It's very annoying
I think it should only be if you were last signed in on our account half way across the globe. Then is when they should do a security check

UplayPosted:

I've never been hacked on xbox, obviously no one wants my account.

YurPosted:

Good idea! Makes people's accounts safer :)