Authenticator Glossary Definition

Authenticator is something a user or system possesses, knows, or controls and can use to prove identity during authentication.

Authenticator is a Web security or Internet privacy concept used to protect users, sessions, resources, or browser interactions from misuse.

Microsoft Authenticator is a mobile authentication app from Microsoft.

Authenticator gives security, IT, compliance, and business teams a shared term for discussing protection, accountability, and operational risk.

Security teams, developers, and site owners use this concept when reducing risk in browser sessions, authentication flows, embedded content, and public-facing applications.

Related concepts include Authentication, Transport Layer Security and Cookie.

Additional Resource: MDN Web Docs Glossary.

Users and organizations use it for multifactor authentication, passwordless sign-in, account verification, and identity-security workflows. Former or related names include Authenticator.

Related concepts include Microsoft Entra ID and Access Control.