If you have ever waited for a login code that never showed up, you already know the pain.You type in your password.
Microsoft asks for a code.Then you stare at your phone like it owes you money.
Now Microsoft wants to move even further away from that routine.The company says it will phase out SMS codes as a sign-in and account recovery method for personal Microsoft accounts.Instead, Microsoft wants more people to use passkeys and verified email.
This affects anyone who uses a personal Microsoft account.That can include Outlook, OneDrive, Windows, Xbox or Microsoft 365 users.That may sound like another tech company forcing you to change your habits.
In this case, though, there is a real security reason behind it.Text-message codes helped make account logins safer for years.
They were never built, however, to protect your digital life.Crooks have learned how to abuse them, steal them and trick people into handing them over.SIM SWAP SCAM DRAINED FLORIDA WOMAN'S BANK ACCOUNT IN MINUTESMicrosoft is phasing out SMS codes for personal account sign-ins and recovery, pushing users toward passkeys and verified email for stronger security.
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You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected.Register here: CyberGuyLive.com.Microsoft says SMS authentication has become a major source of fraud.
Text messages can be intercepted, stolen through SIM-swap scams or captured through phishing attacks.That creates a real problem because your Microsoft account can unlock a lot.
It may connect to Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, Windows, Microsoft 365 and saved payment details.Once a crimina...