If an account offers support for two-step verification, it’s a good idea to activate it. This way you are better protected against attackers or people who want to invade your account. In this article, we’ll explain how to activate two-step verification for your Microsoft account.
Two-step verification is also sometimes referred to as two-factor authentication, 2FA or multi-factor authentication. But in all cases, it means the same thing: securing your account with an extra layer of security, making it very difficult for malicious parties to get in. When you activate the function, you have to enter an extra code that only you have in addition to your username and password. That code is in a verification application, comes in via email or you can have it sent to your phone, for example.
Two-step verification via Microsoft Authenticator
To provide your Microsoft account with two-step verification, you need to download the Microsoft Authenticator for android or iOS. After downloading and installing, open the app and press the button to add an account. Now log in with your Microsoft account and complete the remaining steps on the screen. After completing the steps, you will now receive a notification on your smartphone when you try to log in with your Microsoft account.
Before that, we also need to activate two-step verification for your Microsoft account. Downloading the app is only half the work. To do this, go to the account page on the Microsoft website and press the tab Security, at the top. On the right is the heading ‘Enable two-step verification‘. Press that. You may already see a list of verification options here. At the bottom is the heading Extra security. Now press the button Switch. Then follow the steps in the picture. Read what it says carefully so that you know where you stand. Press . a few times Next one until you are done and then press the button Complete.
After setting up, you have to use the Microsoft Authenticator app every time to enter an extra code. You are the only one in possession of this code, unless someone else has your smartphone physically in their hands. All the more reason not to just hand over your phone.
Secure Microsoft Account
Now that you are active on the Secure tab of your Microsoft account, you can also add some other contact details. This way you can be sure that Microsoft can reach you if, for example, you have suddenly forgotten your password. Go to Advanced security options and press Choose a method to sign in or authenticate. In the next window you choose a way in which Microsoft can reach you: via e-mail, a text message or an app, for example.
Fill in what you want to fill in the necessary information and check them again before you finish everything. After completing it, it is important that you enter the code that was sent to that number, account or app, so that Microsoft can be sure that that data belongs to you.
