INTRODUCTION TO CYBER SECURITY: Setting up two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is available on many websites such as Google and Facebook and it’s very easy to set up. Follow the instructions to add two-factor authentication to your accounts.

Setting up two-factor authentication on Google
If you have a Google account it is a good idea to set up two-factor authentication.

Google’s two factor authentication sends authentication codes to your mobile phone. You will need a phone that only you have access to, as otherwise someone who has stolen your details could use it to gain access to your Google account.

You can find out more at Google’s 2 Step page and set it up using the instructions in the Setting up two-factor authentication on Google PDF.

Two-factor authentication and Facebook
Facebook also supports two-factor authentication (which it calls Log in Approvals). Facebook’s two-factor authentication process is activated whenever you log in from a new computer. An SMS is sent to your phone containing a unique security code, which you will need to enter into Facebook before you can log in.

Set it up following the instructions on the Setting up two-factor authentication on Facebook PDF.

Other two-factor authentication services
As well as many online banking systems, other websites support two-factor authentication, most of which rely on SMS messages. Services include:

     

• Apple
• Dropbox – a cloud file sharing service
• Evernote – a cloud-based document and note taking service
• Microsoft Accounts – used by the Microsoft App Store and its OneDrive cloud storage service
• PayPal – online payments used by many small web retailers and eBay
• Steam – online game delivery
• Twitter

Look out for two-factor authentication on other websites. Set it up to better secure access to your data.

© The Open University