Microsoft Announces Optional Two-Factor Authentication

Last week, there were rumors that Microsoft would follow in the footsteps of Google, Apple, and Facebook by offering two-factor authentication for Microsoft Accounts-the timetable was 'soon'. Well, according to a follow-up report by ARS Technica from earlier today, that rumor is now a reality.
 
"The scheme will become available to all users "in the next few days...It works essentially identically to existing schemes already available for Google accounts. Two-factor authentication augments a password with a one-time code that's delivered either by a text message or generated in an authentication app."


Users will be able to skip the two factors on computers they trust and will be able to generate app-specific passwords to work with software that doesn't support the two-factor method.

 

                 (Source: PC World)