How to Set Up Two-factor Authentication on Your Online Accounts?

 How can you enable two-factor authentication on your accounts? And, more importantly, why is it important in the first place? With the rise in popularity of social media, security is becoming increasingly important. 2-Factor Authentication is a security method that uses two layers to validate a user’s identity. Two-factor authentication needs a code to be provided through text message to a consumer’s phone number or produced through an app, rather than simply inputting the password to log into an account.

Even though using a strong password will benefit you in some ways, using 2FA can help you strengthen and boost security even more. Let’s learn more about this additional layer of security and how to enable 2FA on your accounts.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is a security solution that uses two layers to validate a user’s identity. Two-factor authentication requires a code to be provided through text message to the consumer’s phone number or produced through an app, rather than simply inputting the password to log into an account.

This form of verification code aids in ensuring that only the account’s authorized user has access to it. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides two or more authentication layers for consumers to approve account access.

What do you understand by Authenticator App?

Authenticator apps are designed to be installed on cellphones in order to receive passcodes for logging into accounts. They’re meant to be more secure than texting, and they give you additional options if you’re going somewhere without cell service.

Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator Authy, and HDE OTP are some of the alternatives.

All of these apps operate in the same way: while creating a new user account, you must scan a QR code associated with the account, which is then saved in the app.

Your app or service will prompt you for a numerical code the next time you sign in. To securely access your account, use the authenticator app and validate the randomly generated authentication code.

How can you set up 2FA on Your Social Media Accounts?

Many apps now support two-factor authentication, which is especially useful if you’re storing essential or sensitive data, financial information, emails, social media, files, or contact information.

To log in with 2FA, you’ll need more than one factor. This could include biometrics such as iris scans or fingerprints, passwords, or a smartphone key.

Learn how to set up two-factor authentication on your accounts:

Google

You must first download the Google Authenticator app from the Play Store in order to set up an authenticator on your Google account. After you’ve downloaded the file, do the following:

• To access your profile, go to Gmail and click the profile button.
• Select My Account and then Sign-in & Security from the drop-down menu.

The two-step verification method can be added here.

Snapchat

To enable 2FA on your Snapchat account, follow these steps:

• Tap on the profile icon on the app’s primary camera screen.
• To get to Settings, look for the gear icon.
• Choose whether to get verification by text message or an authenticator app by tapping on Two-Factor Authentication.

Once 2FA is enabled on your Snapchat account, you can add trusted devices or request a recovery code if you plan to be somewhere without cellular coverage. Snapchat does not appear to enable safety key logins at this time.

Whatsapp

To enable 2FA on your WhatsApp account, follow these steps:

• Open WhatsApp on your device.
• The Settings menu may be found under the upper-right hamburger icon.
• Look for Account > Two-step verification > Allow under Account.
• To authenticate your account, you will be asked to enter a six-digit PIN. If you forget your PIN, you can add an email address as a backup.

If you have used WhatsApp and forgotten your PIN within the last seven days, you will not be able to reverify yourself unless you have an associated email with your account.

Outlook

To enable two-factor authentication on your Outlook account, follow these steps:

• Sign in to your Outlook account.
• To view your account, click on your name and then on View Account.
• Click the link that says Explore other security choices under Basic Options.

If you haven’t done so already, click the link and follow the instructions. If you already have Microsoft Authenticator installed, you can switch to it by clicking the Setup identity verification app button.

Facebook

To enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account, follow these steps:

• Sign in to your Facebook account.
• Select Security and Login from the drop-down menu under Settings.
• In the Setting Up Extra Security section, look for the use of two-factor authentication.
• Switch on the code generator.

You can also approve sign-ins on the web using the Facebook mobile app or set up a third-party authentication app to generate codes.

Twitter

To enable two-factor authentication on your Twitter account, follow these steps:

• Sign in to your Twitter account.
• After clicking on your Profile Icon, go to Settings and Privacy.
• Under the Security section, tick the box next to Verify login requests.
• After that, select Set up a code generator app and verify your phone number.
• Use the third-party authenticator app to scan the QR code.

Instagram

Instagram added two-factor authentication to its mobile app in 2017, which can be activated over the web. If you wish to enable 2FA on your mobile device, go to Profile, click on the menu, then select Settings & Security. Two-factor authentication is available there.

You can also pick between SMS-based verification and a code given to your authentication device using Instagram.

Why is 2-Factor Authentication important?

As fraudsters become more sophisticated, 2FA has become more important than ever. Without it, you risk exposing your accounts to hackers, who could steal your personal information, hijack your online credit card information, and gain access to your bank account. You gain the advantage of preventing hackers from accessing your account by adding the extra step to your account.

Conclusion

With cybercrime on the rise, it’s more important than ever to beef up your online protection. As a result, to safeguard your account and history, you should learn how to set up 2FA on your accounts as an extra layer of protection. It safeguards not just your online social media accounts but also your other accounts.

Edward Lewis is a self-professed security expert; he has been making the people aware of the security threats. Her passion is to write about Cyber security, cryptography, malware, social engineering, internet and new media. He writes for Norton security products at norton.com/setup

Source : https://s4norton.com/how-to-set-up-two-factor-authentication-on-your-online-accounts/