New Update Outlook for iOS and Android will soon work as two-factor Authenticator

Gandalf_The_Grey

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According to a new entry in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap (via Dr. Windows), the software giant plans to add a new non-email-related feature to the Outlook app on mobile devices. Dubbed "Authenticator Lite," the feature will let users sign into their work or school accounts without downloading another app.

Microsoft already has a dedicated Authenticator app for iOS and Android, and it is available for free in the App Store and Google Play Store. Soon, however, millions of Outlook users will be able to tighten their accounts' security without downloading additional software. Microsoft says "Authenticator Lite" will hit general availability on Android and iOS in March 2023.

Although multi-factor authenticators are simple, many users still consider them cumbersome solutions with difficult onboarding. Integrating MFA capabilities into Outlook (similar to how the YouTube app allows you to grant or deny access to your Google Account) will help make multi-factor authentication easier and more accessible.
 

MuzzMelbourne

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I can't believe Outlook is going to be free... having just gone through the process of untangling the endless invasive tentacles of Microsoft products on my son's website's cPanel records, there must be a catch. "No such thing as a free lunch..."
 
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Ink

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This is similar to iPhone users with one of the following Google apps installed for authenticating login to their Google accounts.

To get Google prompts, you need:
  • An iPhone 5S and up.
  • The Gmail app , YouTube app , Google app , Photos app , Ad Words app, or the Smart Lock app .
 

silversurfer

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In March, we reported that Microsoft was working on a new feature called Authenticator Lite for its Outlook email apps for iOS and Android. This week, Microsoft confirmed that Authenticator Lite is now available in those Outlook mobile apps in general availability.

In a blog post, Microsoft stated:
According to research done by Microsoft, multifactor authentications completed via push notifications in the Microsoft Authenticator app are 71% less likely to be compromised than those completed via SMS codes. Therefore, we strongly recommend moving your users off phone transports for authentication and towards more secure methods such as push notifications. Authenticator Lite (in Outlook) expands the opportunity to convert users by bringing the enhanced security of push notifications to devices that have not yet downloaded the Microsoft Authenticator App.
 

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