How to lock down your Microsoft account and guard it from attackers

▤ Summary

As always, theres a balancing act between convenience and security, so Ive divided the steps into three groups, based on how tightly you want to lock down your Microsoft account. Next, youll turn on two-step verification (Microsofts term for multi-factor authentication) to protect yourself from phishing and other forms of password theft. Also: User forgetfulness drives preference for biometrics over passwords First, install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone (its available for iPhone and Android devices) and set it up for use as a sign-in and verification option. Maximum: The final two steps provide the most extreme security, adding at least one physical hardware key along with the Microsoft Authenticator app, and then removing SMS text messages as a backup verification factor. It requires an extra investment in hardware and it definitely adds some friction to the sign-in process, but its by far the most effective way to secure your Microsoft account.

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