Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator blocks suspicious MFA alerts by default

Microsoft has added a new security feature to the Authenticator app. This feature blocks suspicious notifications that occur during the account login process.

Microsoft Authenticator is an app that provides multi-factor authentication, password auto-fill, and password-less sign-in to Microsoft accounts.

When a user tries to log into an account with protected by multi-factor authentication (MFA), the Authenticator app sends a push notification to the user’s device to grant or deny access.

Alternatively, the app generates a temporary access code for users to manually log into their account.

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Hackers exploit push notifications by performing many login attempts on the target account, often at inconvenient times, to frustrate or tire the recipients.

If the tired user agrees to a request, the attacker can enter the account and change the login security settings to lock out the real user.

Microsoft added a security feature called “number matching” in May. It requires users to enter a number from the sign-in screen into their Authenticator app to approve the login.

Although this measure has reduced the effectiveness of MFA fatigue attacks, it doesn’t stop the generation of the annoying notifications themselves.

Microsoft has added new features to fight against malicious activity. These features examine login attempts for unfamiliar locations or signs of unusual activity, and block the related notifications.

Instead, users receive a message that prompts to open the Authenticator app and enter a given code.

You can still see login notifications in the Authenticator App for review when needed.

Microsoft has blocked over six million MFA notifications believed to be from hackers since the new feature was rolled out in September.