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How to set up two-factor authentication on Skype, and increase the security of all your Microsoft accounts

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Because two-factor authentication (2FA) provides a second layer of protection beyond a simple password, it's a good idea to enable this security feature on every important account and service you use, like Skype. 

Since Skype is a part of Microsoft's suite of online productivity applications, you only need to enable 2FA to your Microsoft account to get two-factor authentication protection on Skype and all of your other Microsoft 365 apps. 

How to set up Skype two-factor authentication

1. Open your Microsoft Account page in a web browser and log in needed. 

2. Click "Security" in the navigation bar at the top of the webpage. 

3. Click "Two-step verification" in the top right corner of the Security page. 

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You can control two-factor authentication in Skype from your Microsoft Account.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

4. Scroll down until you see the two-step verification section, and click "Turn on." 

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Select "Turn on" to enable two-factor authentication.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. Follow the steps to enable two-step verification. You'll be prompted to use your phone number as your method of verification. That's good, but a better, more secure form of verification is using an authenticator app. To use an authenticator app, click "Add a new way to sign in or verify."

6. Choose "Use an app."

7. On the Security settings page, click "Set up identity verification app."

8. Follow the steps to get the Microsoft Authenticator app. Or, if you already use another app, like Google Authenticator or Authy, click "Set up a different Authenticator app."

After you have turned on and configured 2FA for your Microsoft Account, you will automatically get the protection of two-factor authentication for all Microsoft apps and services, including Skype, on new devices and browsers.

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Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.