Almost any account is prone to being hacked – if it’s happened to you before, you know that the results can be anything from irritating to disastrous. Hackers might use your account to post spam, target friends and family, or worse. The good news is that most accounts have an option for adding an extra layer of security called two-factor authentication.
What is two-factor authentication?
Also known as 2FA, two step verification, or by the acronym 2FA, two-factor authentication requires users to provide a password plus an additional piece of information. Ideally, this additional information would be something that the authorized user, and ONLY the authorized user, will be able to provide. This makes it significantly harder for potential hackers to gain access and steal data or identity.
Though two-factor authentication dates back to 2011, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from phishing and other online scams.
Ready to set up your own two-factor authentication on your accounts? Follow this handy guide and protect your accounts:
Apple – if you’re an Apple user, you need to be running iOS9 or Mac OS X El Capitan or later to take advantage of added 2FA security.
iOS: Depending on your iOS software’s update level, the steps for turning on 2FA might be slightly different. Those using iOS 10.3 or later can turn on 2FA for their Apple ID by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security. From here, you can enable 2FA to send a text message with a login code each time you enter your account.
For those using iOS 10.2 or earlier, the settings are under iCloud > Apple ID > Password & Security.
Mac OS – if you’re working on a Mac, you can click the Apple icon located in the upper lefthand corner of your screen followed by System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details. Then select Security and you’ll be offered the option to activate your system’s 2FA.
Windows 10 – Securing your Windows 10 account is easy. Just go to the Security Basics page and select More Security Options. Under Two-Step Verification, select Set Up Two-Step Verification and follow the prompts that follow.
Microsoft – Use your regular login to access your account and navigate to the Security Settings menu. Once you choose the Set Up 2FA option Microsoft will guide you through setting up a phone-number verified account. If you’re worried about accessing your account when you lack mobile phone service, click App Passwords and create your own single-use password to log in.
Facebook – Navigate to the dropdown menu in the upper right corner of your screen and select Settings > Security and Login, or head straight there via this link. Under the Use Two-Factor Authentication section, you can register your phone number to receive a code that will be delivered each time you log into your account. You can also ask Facebook to send a push notification to your phone so you can authorize or deny any attempts to login to your account.
Twitter – Using either the mobile app or browser view of Twitter, navigate to your profile avatar and locate the Settings and Privacy menu. You can head directly to account settings, or go to Account > Security and switch on Login Verification. This will allow Twitter to text your phone number with a login code every time you need to access your account.
Amazon – Login to your account via the Amazon homepage and locate Login & Security and click the edit button on Advanced Security Settings. By clicking Get Started, Amazon will guide you through registering a phone number or syncing an authenticator app by syncing it through a QR code.
Google – Turning on 2FA for Google will protect you across all Google accounts like Gmail, Youtube, and Google Maps. Navigate to the 2FA Landing Page and click Get Started. Login and enter your phone number before selecting your preferred verification method, like text message or phone call.
Want to learn more about keeping your accounts secure? Check out the Google Authenticator and learn more about what an authenticator app offers your overall digital security.