Microsoft Authenticator enhancements: WhatsApp-based authentication codes in place of SMS and limited notifications from suspicious sources

Microsoft is working on two major enhancements for its Microsoft Authenticator application, including delivering authentication codes via WhatsApp instead of SMS, and limiting Authenticator notifications from suspicious sources. The latter feature is designed to block alerts from dubious sources, but may occasionally block a legitimate notification. To mitigate this, ta sign-in prompt will appear when the user opens the Authenticator app. This option is expected to be released in the next two months.

The other update allows the Authenticator app to receive confirmation codes through WhatsApp, offering a more secure alternative to SMS despite WhatsApp's own privacy issues. A trial of this feature is set to launch in October, but will initially be available only to users in India, Indonesia, and New Zealand.