This guide will walk you through setting up the identity verification application for your Microsoft account. This will give you an extra step in ensuring that no one else can log into your Microsoft account without your knowledge.
Step 1
Use the following link to open the Additional Security Verification page for your Microsoft account and sign in with your Microsoft account when prompted:
Step 2
The Additional Security Verification page shows. Change the following options:
- We’ll use this verification option by default to “Notify me through app”
- Select the option for “Authentication phone”, choose the Area Code for your location and enter your phone number. You can also select and enter an “Alternative authentication phone” and enter the respective information.
- Select the option for “Authenticator app or Token” and click the button labelled as “Set up Authenticator app” to obtain the QR code needed to add your account to the authenticator app. You will need to download the Microsoft Authenticator app for your Windows, Android or IOS phone from your respective app store to be able to scan the presented code.
Step 3
A dialog box is then displayed with instructions on how to configure your Microsoft Authenticator mobile app. Follow the instructions. During the process you are presented with a QR Code image which you will need to scan during the process, similar to the image below.
Step 4
After installing the Microsoft Authenticator application on your device and scanning the QR Code the application is now configured. Then click Next and when prompted on your device click Approve.
Step 5
Now you’re ready to go. Once approval has been granted and the web page shows that you have finished setup click the available option to finish the setup.
Note
If using the built in email application for your mobile device and your email stops working after enabling Multi-Factor Authentication you will need to delete and re-add the account. Alternatively, install and utilise the Microsoft Outlook mobile application and set it as the default email application on your mobile device.
Microsoft’s YouTube MFA Setup Guide
Below is a YouTube video showing the mentioned process for configuring MFA for your Microsoft work/school account.
How it works
Now, anytime you log in to your Microsoft account you will have an extra step of approving login’s via the Authenticator App. You will be presented with the following prompts. One in your browser and the other on your mobile device.
