It is being reported that two step authentication for Microsoft accounts is coming soon. This boost in account security is being developed side by side with a new authenticator app, which is being developed for Windows Phone, Microsoft’s mobile platform. Last month it was said that Microsoft would be adding enhanced account aliases which would ultimately replace the current account renaming feature, though the enhanced aliases feature for accounts has not been rolled out yet.
There’s a caveat with two factor authentication though, it will not work with the user’s linked accounts. All such accounts will have to be unlinked from the account on which the enhanced authentication feature is to be turned on. Microsoft also adds a feature called “app password” for those apps and devices that don’t support two factor authentication. When a user signs in to an app or device that doesn’t support it, they can easily generate an app password from the Microsoft account website, which can then be entered to get access to the account on said app or device. It is not known when Microsoft will be releasing this.
[Image via LiveSide]
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