Your P@$sw0rd is not strong enough!
However strong you might have created it, traditional passwords are no longer enough in this day and age. Hackers have countless tried and tested methods of stealing credentials and gaining unauthorized access to private accounts.
Microsoft recently said that Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) would have prevented 99% of compromise attacks that they've dealt with in the past year. We've never seen a compromised account that had MFA enabled, but have seen plenty without.
Watch this quick Microsoft video which explains exactly what MFA is and why it's important.
How does MFA work?...
You log in with your username and password.
You get a 6-digit code, either from the Microsoft Authenticator app or an SMS sent to your mobile. That's it, you're logged in.
You won't have to do the second step very often. Some people worry that multifactor authentication is going to be really inconvenient, but generally it's only used the first time you sign into an app or device, or the first time you sign in after changing your password.
If someone gets hold of your password then they will still get stuck at the second step because they don't have your mobile phone.
How do you set it up?...
Your Microsoft Administrator enables MFA.
The next time you authenticate (probably the next time you use Outlook for example) you're asked by Microsoft to provide more information, this is to set up the second factor of authentication as explained above.
You follow the on-screen instructions, verify the method of authentication and that's it.
MFA authentication methods can only be changed or reset by you or your Microsoft administrator, so if you lose your mobile or change it, then only the administrator can reset your authentication methods.
We'll be speaking to any customers that have the option for MFA but aren't using it, to arrange an agreeable time to enable and enforce it. But as always if you have any concerns or questions please get in touch.