In addition to the built-in antivirus or firewall, Microsoft offers a set of tools and settings on Windows to strengthen the security of your data. Although these options are included with your Microsoft account, users often overlook these options.
On Windows 11 PCs, Microsoft already includes security measures to provide optimal protection for your device, such as antivirus and a firewall. But you should know that the Redmond company also offers a wide selection of tools and settings to strengthen the confidentiality of your data.
These features are included with any Microsoft account, and yet, they are often overlooked by users. In this article, we will present them to you and explain how to benefit from them on your different devices.
These 5 features will boost the security of your Microsoft account
Activate two-step verification
A first essential option to add an additional layer of security is to activate two-step verification. As a reminder, this procedure makes it much more difficult for someone to log into your account from an unknown device.
This is because it uses two different forms of identity, such as your password and a contact method (SMS, link to a secondary email address, an authentication app like Authenticator). This way, if a hacker obtains your email address and password via a leak, for example, they won't be able to go any further. Here are the steps to enable this feature:
- Sign in to your Microsoft account with your username and password
- In the sidebar, find and click the Security tab
- Here, continue by clicking the Manage how I sign in button
- At the bottom of the screen, go to the Additional Security and Two-Step Verification
- Click on Activate to begin the configuration
- Concretely, Microsoft will ask you to choose Here is another way to verify your identity by using either an application (in this case Microsoft Authenticator), a backup email address or a phone number
- At the end of the procedure, Microsoft will give you a recovery code to use if your account is compromised. Keep it safe
Opt for an account without a password
For some time now, Microsoft has been offering its users the option of simply abandoning the traditional username and password combo. After removing the password from the equation, you'll need to log in using another method like Microsoft Authenticator, Outlook for Android, Windows Hello, physical security keys, or SMS codes.
As the company explains, authentication apps, physical security keys, or even your smartphone's biometric systems (fingerprint, Face ID, etc.) are much more secure than passwords, which can be stolen, guessed, or hacked. The simplest option remains to use Microsoft Authenticator or Outlook for Android:
- Download and install the app
- Open the authenticator app and configure your account by following the various prompts
- Then go to your account Microsoft > Security > Additional security > Passwordless Account
- Start the procedure, return to Microsoft Authenticator and scan the QR Code on the screen to log in
Manage browsing and search data
Like streaming devices like Chromecast/Apple TV, social networks like Facebook or our favorite apps, Microsoft is not shy to collect an impressive amount of data on you. The American giant notably collects your browsing and search history in order to provide you with more relevant results, but also and above all personalized advertising.
If this bothers you a little, it is possible to delete all activities recorded by Microsoft:
- From your Microsoft account, go to the Privacy tab > Navigation and search
- Now, several options are available to you: delete data for a site on a case-by-case basis by clicking on the trash icon, or do a major clean-up with the Clear all activities button.
Note that it is also possible to download your data via the dedicated button.
Remove unknown devices
Over time, users sign in to their Microsoft account on many devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, Xbox game consoles, etc.). In fact, each connected device represents a potential access point to your sensitive data.
And if a device you previously used is lost, stolen, or compromised by malware/virus, for example, someone could use it to access your Microsoft account. In this specific case, it may be useful to remove the device in question from your list of authorized devices:
- Go to your Microsoft account
- In the sidebar, look for the Devices
- Consult the list of different devices linked to your account here and remove the one(s) of your choice by clicking on Remove device
Prevent unknown apps from accessing your Microsoft account data
Granting third-party apps access to your Microsoft account is sometimes useful, especially for logging in quickly. However, this introduces additional security and privacy risks. Hence the need to prevent apps you don't trust from accessing your data:
- Go to your Microsoft account
- In the sidebar, look for the Privacy > App Access
- Here you'll find a list of all the apps and services that can access or request access to data associated with your Microsoft account
- Click Don't Allow to deny access to the apps you choose
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