Authenticator app to get new security update

Feb 5, 2019 08:27 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft Authenticator will receive another significant update that will provide users on Android and iPhone with notifications whenever security changes are made to their accounts.

The Authenticator app has been around for a long time to provide users with dual-factor authentication for Microsoft accounts, and now the software giant wants to push things a little further with new security features.

If you have already configured one or more Microsoft accounts in the Authenticator app, you should receive notifications whenever important events occur, such as when passwords are changed.

Users are thus provided with a quick method to take action should they detect any suspicious activity, so in case of an unauthorized password reset, for instance, you can step in an prevent someone else from taking over your account.

“The goal of these notifications is to increase awareness and help you react quickly if there is unexpected activity,” Microsoft explains.

Warning of unusual events

The notifications are displayed on both Android and iOS, and are triggered by actions like changing the password, adding a new phone number or email address, or signing in from a new device or unusual location.

“If you receive a notification that you’re concerned about, you can quickly view your account activity and take necessary actions to protect your account. This may include changing your password or updating your security contact information,” Microsoft says.

If the notifications do not show up on your phone, just make sure that you granted the correct permissions to the Microsoft Authenticator app, as it needs to be allowed to show notifications.

The feature is currently being rolled out to devices across the world, so it may not show up on your phone right away. However, you should download the latest Microsoft Authenticator app right away to make sure you’re getting it when it becomes available.