Microsoft Adds New Security Features To Users' Accounts - Printer Friendly version without Comments

Appeared on: Monday, December 9, 2013
Microsoft Adds New Security Features To Users' Accounts

Microsoft will soon begin giving its users more visibility and control over their accounts.

Microsoft has already released two-step verification to the more than 700 million people around the world who use a Microsoft account on a Windows PC or Windows Phone device, Outlook.com, SkyDrive, Xbox and more services.

A two-step verification setup requires two verified pieces of security information, like a phone number and email address. In the rare occasion when both options fail, Microsoft has added the ability to create a secure recovery code, which can be used to regain access to an account.

As part of the changes, Microsoft will be also offering more insight into recent sign-ins and other activity on users' accounts, by adding a new view that allows users to see their sign-ins and other account activities. The activity log includes successful and unsuccessful sign-ins, the addition and deletion of security information and more. For each type of activity, Microsoft shows what kind of device and browser was used, and what location the request came from, including a map from Bing.

Users will be able to use the "This wasn?t me" button in case they see something suspicious, in order to get further help from Microsoft.

Microsoft has also added the ability for users to choose where the company sends notifications.