The US government suffered a data breach after hackers targeted Microsoft Office software. Here's how you can protect your apps and Microsoft accounts.
Microsoft has released some guidance on how organizations can strengthen their security to avoid these attacks and said it hasn't identified any vulnerabilities in its products. But we'll talk about the security of your individual account.
Here are five ways you can secure your Microsoft account.
1.Set up multi-factor authentication
To set up multi-factor authentication, go to the security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select More security options. In the Two-step verification section, select Set up two-step verification to enable it and get further instructions.
To set it up on a Microsoft 365 work account, your administrator will need to enable it. Once that's done, when you sign in with your username and password, you'll be prompted for more information. Click Next.
The default authentication method is to use the free Microsoft Authenticator app, which you can download to mobile device . This app gives you a unique code that expires after a certain amount of time.
Alternatively, if you prefer to receive a code via SMS ,you can select “I want to set up a different method.” Microsoft will ask for your mobile number and send you a text with a six-digit code to verify your account .
2. Protect your password
Never use the same password on multiple accounts. There are many great password managers to help you store all your passwords. You should also choose a strong password – one that avoids using common words and is at least eight characters.
3. Avoid phishing scams
If you receive an email about your Microsoft account security, it could be a phishing – a type of attack where hackers impersonate a company or someone you know to trick you into revealing personal information like passwords or credit card numbers. These emails often include a link to a malicious website, which you should never click on.
The best way to avoid these emails is to know how to spot them – they may have misspellings or come from a misspelled address (like microsoftsupport.ru or micros0ft.com). If something looks suspicious, simply delete it or report it to the company.
4. Protect your apps
On your phone or desktop, only install and run apps from legitimate sources. If you use Microsoft 365, using Microsoft apps to access those accounts is the most secure option, according to the company. You should also make sure all your apps as well as your operating system are up to date — many updates you receive are security fixes, so be sure to install quickly.
5. Make it easier to recover your account
You can set up your account to make it easier to recover if all else fails and is compromised . To do this, go to Microsoft's security basics page and add all the information, like your email address and phone number. Make sure to keep this information up to date to keep your account more secure.
Information source: cnet.com
