Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Hops On Two-Factor Authentication Bandwagon
itwbennett writes "Following similar initiatives by Apple, Google and Facebook, Microsoft is enabling two-factor authentication for its Microsoft Account service, the log-on service for many of its online and desktop products. Users will find instructions on how to add a second form of authentication on the Microsoft Account settings page. The chief form of secondary authentication will be a short code sent to the user's mobile phone, the number of which Microsoft will keep on file, each time the user logs on."
Will I not be able to pirate Win8.1?
It is 2 factor authentication.
The 3 authentication factors are:
Something you Know.
Something you Have.
Something you Are.
This meets 2 of those factors, a password (know), and your phone (have).
If MS really cared that much about security they would offer the use of client certificates. Much more secure than SMS.
Judging by what passes for acceptable practice today my guess this is all likely all effectivly a moot point as convenience password recovery measures effectivly curtail actual security gains.
Unless you're a Microsoft developer, what would anyone want a "Microsoft account" for? Hotmail?
Skype, Hotmail, Live properties, Xbox Live, Messenger, Windows 8 users with linked accounts, Skydrive ...
Microsoft has more individuals with accounts than anyone else, by far.
You may not have one (although, even if you were 100% Linux, unless you've never used Skype, you do have one), but virtually every other person with a computer does.
It is 2 factor authentication.
The 3 authentication factors are:
Something you Know.
Something you Have.
Something you Are.
And a fanatical devotion to the Pope- Four! Four authentication factors!
systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
I certainly didn't expect a spanish inquisition joke.