How to Check Your Microsoft Sign-Ins (and Why It Matters)

Cybersecurity threats don’t always start with malware or ransomware. Very often, they begin with a compromised account. Microsoft makes it easy for users to review recent account activity, and doing so regularly is one of the simplest—and most effective—ways to protect your identity and your organization.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to check your Microsoft sign-ins using mysignins.microsoft.com and explain why this small habit can make a big difference in your security posture.

How to Check Your Microsoft Sign-Ins

Microsoft provides a self-service portal that shows where and how your account has been accessed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open a web browser

• • Go to: https://mysignins.microsoft.com

2. Sign in with your Microsoft accountmysignins

• • Use your work or school Microsoft account (Entra ID / Azure AD account).

3. Review your recent activity

• • • You’ll see a list of recent sign-in attempts, including:
    • Date and time
    • Location (city, state, or country)
    • Device and operating system
    • Browser or application used
    • Whether the sign-in was successful or blocked

4. Select any sign-in for more details

• • Clicking an entry shows additional information such as IP address, authentication method, and conditional access results.

What You Should Look For

When reviewing your sign-ins, keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t look right:

• Sign-ins from unfamiliar locations or countries
• Attempts at odd hours (for example, 3 a.m. when you were asleep)
• Failed sign-ins you don’t recognize
• Devices or browsers you don’t use
• Repeated attempts that were blocked by security policies

If something looks suspicious, assume it’s worth investigating.

What to Do If You See Suspicious Activity

If you notice sign-ins you don’t recognize, act quickly:

• Change your password immediately.  Use a strong, unique password you haven’t used elsewhere.
• Verify or enable multi-factor authentication. MFA dramatically reduces the risk of account compromise.
• Review connected devices and sessions. Sign out of sessions you don’t recognize.
• Contact your IT or security team. Especially important for work or school accounts.

Why Checking Sign-Ins Is So Important

1. Early Detection of Account Compromise

Attackers often test stolen credentials quietly before launching a larger attack. Reviewing sign-ins lets you catch suspicious activity before damage is done.

2. Protection Against Phishing

Even careful users can fall victim to phishing. Sign-in logs help confirm whether credentials were misused after a suspicious email or link.

3. Visibility Into Your Digital Footprint

Many users are surprised by how many apps and services access their Microsoft account. Reviewing sign-ins improves awareness and accountability.

4. Compliance and Best Practices

For organizations, encouraging users to monitor sign-ins supports security frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and Zero Trust principles.

5. Empowering Users as the First Line of Defense

Security isn’t just an IT responsibility. Giving users visibility into their own activity makes them active participants in protecting company data.

How Often Should You Check?

At least once a month

Immediately after:

• • A phishing email
  • A password reset
  • Traveling internationally
  • Receiving a security alert from Microsoft

It only takes a minute—and it’s time well spent.

Final Thoughts

Checking your Microsoft sign-ins at mysignins.microsoft.com is a simple habit that provides powerful insight into your account security. In a world where credentials are constantly targeted, visibility is protection.

If you’re unsure how to interpret sign-in data or want to strengthen security controls like MFA and conditional access, your IT provider can help put the right protections in place.

One minute of review today can prevent hours—or days—of cleanup tomorrow.