Windows 10: Keep getting Microsoft Authenticator prompts

I have password free access on some devices and use the Microsoft Authenticator app to gain access to my email and apps. However I randomly get popups from Microsoft Authenticator asking me to approve access when it is not me signing in. When I check security it is normally foreign hacking attempts that were unsuccessful. I am just concerned that I might accidentally approve one of these hacker sign in approval requests when I'm fat fingering my phone. How are they even getting to the point where a Microsoft Authenticator request is being generated on my cellphone? This just started happening

:)

 

Microsoft Authenticator

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that you want to how the Microsoft Authenticator App works.

The Microsoft Authenticator app helps you sign-in to your accounts if you use two-factor verification. Two-factor verification helps you to access your accounts more securely, especially while viewing
sensitive information. Because passwords can be forgotten, stolen, or compromised, two-factor verification is an additional security step that helps protect your account by making it harder for other people to break in.

You can use the Microsoft Authenticator app in multiple ways, including:

• Respond to a prompt for authentication after you sign in with your username and password.
  
• Sign-in without entering a password, using your username, the authenticator app, and your mobile device with your fingerprint, face, or PIN.
  
• As a code generator for any other accounts that support authenticator apps.
  

I suggest you refer to the article for more information on
What is the Microsoft Authenticator app?and you may also
refer to the article about Microsoft Authenticator app FAQ

However, let me point you in the right direction where you can get the appropriate assistance regarding this issue. I suggest you to post your query in
Microsoft Authenticator App forums
where we have expertise and support professionals.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Zaki

 

Microsoft Account authentication

After more research, I have found my answer. It looks like the issue was that Microsoft released a new Microsoft Authenticator app with the features first introduced in Microsoft Authenticator Beta. The new app received a prompt to approve access to my Microsoft
Account when signing on from a new PC, though I find it strange that the beta app wasn't directly upgraded to the new version of the app.

Microsoft now has three 2 step authentication apps available in the store for Windows 10 Mobile:

• Authenticator - original app from Windows Phone 8
• Microsoft Authenticator Beta - originally released to Windows 10 users when Windows 10 Mobile was only available on the Windows Insider program.
• Microsoft Authenticator - the official Windows 10 app no longer in beta

 

Microsoft Account set to use 2 Factor Authentication & Authentication Phone App but it doesn't prompt for authentication when signing in to my Windows 10 PC locally or remotely (via RDP).

OK I created a 2nd Microsoft account and setup the Authentication App on an old phone I had lying around for 2-factor authentication.

Step 1

I logged into this website with that account and it prompted me with the Authentication App so 2 factor is setup correctly on the NEW Microsoft Account.

Step 2

I logged in on my Windows 10 PC with that NEW account and it also DOES NOT PROMPT for 2-Factor Authentication.

I tried to log in via RDP and, again, it DOES NOT PROMPT for 2-Factor.

My question remains unanswered.