What is two-step verification?
A few years ago, the only authentication system for personal online accounts was the password system, very secure, but prone to attacks by hackers, who in their eagerness to decipher a password used and still use relatively effective methods. such as brute force, phishing or dictionary attacks.
Fortunately, this situation has changed for the better. There is now the two-factor authentication system, also known as two-step verification, in which a second item in the user’s possession such as a cell phone or an authenticator application serves to verify that the person trying to log in is the person trying to log in. authentic. In this way, even if the password is decrypted by a hacker, this individual will have to face a second obstacle and it will be more difficult for him to access an account that is not his.
This additional layer of protection has become a security standard and most online service providers offer it within their login processes. The two-step verification system limits unauthorized access to an account and is also very easy to use.
In the case of a Microsoft account, it is extremely important to activate two-step verification because this account is the one that controls access to Windows systems, Outlook email accounts, game consoles manufactured by Microsoft, among many others. online platforms.
How to activate two-step verification for Microsoft account?
Here’s how to activate two-step verification for a Microsoft account.
Go to the Microsoft page called Security Basics and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Next, click on Advanced security options. In the window that appears, select the security information you want to add. In this case, choose between an alternative email address or phone number. Follow the instructions to finish the process.
From now on, when you log in using a password from a device that is not trusted by Microsoft, you will be required to enter an additional code, which may be sent to the alternate email address, to an authenticating mobile application or by SMS to the phone configured in the previous steps.