What is Microsoft Authenticator? Here's what you need to know about the two-factor authentication app that can secure your online accounts

• Microsoft Authenticator is a two-factor authentication program that provides added security to your online accounts in the form of an app.
• It's a competitor to other two-factor authentication programs such as Google Authenticator and LastPass.
• Microsoft Authenticator can be used with Microsoft products or any sites or apps that utilize two-factor authentication that has a time-based, one-time passcode (TOTP or OTP).

As our lives and day-to-day functions move increasingly online, keeping our personal information secure is more important than ever. To help prevent private data from getting into the wrong hands, two-factor authentication offers an additional layer of online security.

These measures generally require users to not only enter their password when accessing accounts, but to also complete an additional step such as providing a one-time code that's usually generated via an authenticator app. Microsoft Authenticator originated in 2016 and has since been used to facilitate easier and more secure sign-ins, also providing users with the option to sign into their Microsoft accounts without a passcode.

What is Microsoft Authenticator?

Microsoft Authenticator is one such app that provides one-time access codes not only for Microsoft accounts and products, but other sites and products that utilize two-factor authentication. It offers several useful features to make Microsoft apps and additional compatible sites and applications incredibly easy, including:

• Password-free login to Microsoft products and sites.
• Time-based, single-use passcodes for sites using two-factor authentication.
• Account management for multiple sites or apps simultaneously.

Once you've downloaded the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone or tablet (it's available on both Android and iOS devices), you can begin by signing in with your Microsoft account or scan a QR code from an external application, such as Google or Facebook, to get started.

How to use Microsoft Authenticator

For those who already have a Microsoft account, you can sign in to your account and gain immediate access to codes after downloading the authenticator app. Follow these steps:

1. From the Authenticator home screen, tap "Add account" and select whether you wish to add a personal Microsoft account or one for work or school by tapping the relevant option.

2. Choose whether you want to sign in with a QR code or with your Microsoft account information. If it's the former, proceed by scanning the code provided by your Microsoft app. Otherwise, you'll need to add your username and password.

To use Microsoft Authenticator with a non-Microsoft site or app, you'll need to have the QR code handy from the site or app in question so that you can scan it within the Authenticator app. How you obtain this code will vary depending on the site, program, or service you wish to use it with.

When you're ready, tap "Add Account" from the Microsoft Authenticator home screen and then choose the "Other" option. From there, give the app permission to access your device's camera if prompted, then scan the QR code to add the app. Once your relevant apps or accounts are added to Authenticator, you can use this anytime you need to log in.

Microsoft Authenticator as a password manager

Microsoft Authenticator has recently expanded to additionally serve as a password manager for Microsoft accounts, through which it can securely autofill passwords used for sites and apps on your mobile device. In order to enable this function, you need to make Microsoft Authenticator the default autofill provider in Settings, and then it will automatically save your passwords after each new use. Make sure to update to the newest version of the Authenticator app before doing so, and enable the autofill feature in-app by going to Settings > Beta > Autofill. As of now, the password manager feature of the app is available as a public preview.

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to enable two-factor authentication on Apple devices to keep your data secure

• How to turn off two-step and two-factor authentication on an iPhone, through your Apple ID account

• How to set up two-factor authentication on Amazon to protect your account data and payment information

• How to set up two-factor authentication on Facebook to help protect your account

• How to set up two-factor authentication on Skype, and increase the security of all your Microsoft accounts