MS Authenticator App and email clients

Sam Vimes · 25 Aug 2020

If I use the MS Authenticator app say for my MS Account would the code be required to be entered when I access my email through Outlook365 or other client?

While I can see the benefits of using the app it would be cumbersome to have to enter a code everytime I wanted to access email, specifically if I have several email accounts on different providers all within the same email client.

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No replies so tried this and found that the 2FA through the Authenticator does not apply to email accounts.

Caledon Ken · 29 Aug 2020

For something like Outlook you would use an App password. This is generated within the account you are using.

Did you create the appropriate backup of you authenticator app.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azu...te%20accounts.

Sam Vimes · 30 Aug 2020

I'm using the App ok with about 6 or so different accounts and I haven't done any backup yet. I'm not struck on the idea of Cloud backup and most of the accounts I'm using offer alternate methods of access anyway. Google for example provide a list of temp codes you can download to get access in emergencies. Others let you choose between the App or an SMS message.

I need to think more about this.

Caledon Ken · 30 Aug 2020

As long as you have backup methods.

Loose phone, reset phone, get a new phone .... you don't want to be starting from scratch or worse, locked out.

I use Authy ( an authenticator app) and complex long passwords.

These are just the tokens, they still need the password to site.

I use a password manager, with a security key, so my credentials are long and complex.

Sam Vimes · 31 Aug 2020

I also use a Password Manager - Roboform. This is only locally stored not sync'd across the cloud. In addition I've created a virtual encrypted drive using Veracrypt and in this keep a spreadsheet of all my passwords, usernames etc.

Everything like this gets backed up to local hard drives.

I don't do anything serious on my phone other than check email, read the news etc. All banking, buying etc is done on my workstation.

Amazing how dependent on these we are becoming. Was a time when I could remember my passwords but now with hundreds of different accounts all with different strong, long passwords the use of the PW Manager is essential.