“Hi. Chris Parker here, founder and CEO of WhatIsMyIPAddress. This is Step 3 of the Safepath 5-Step Challenge. It’s another simple step with minimal effort to raise your account security level another notch. And again, it’s free.”
By using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), you add an extra security step to prevent someone else from logging in to your accounts, even if they know or guess your password.
The only person you want logging into your accounts—banking, Facebook, Twitter—is you. Here's how to ensure it stays that way.
All it takes to access your account is a username and password…which means that if someone else knows, steals or buys your log-in credentials, they can do the same.
But you can start using a feature that websites offer called two-factor authentication to prevent that from happening.
And your smartphone plays an important role.
Websites typically recommend and/or require that you link a phone number (preferably a mobile phone) to your online account. It isn't to call you, but to send you text important messages now and then.
They turned that texting capability into a two-step security feature, called two-factor authentication (2FA). As long as you have your mobile device nearby when you’re logging-in to an account/website, use 2FA for an extra layer of security.
How to find the 2FA setup page on any website.
You find two-factor authorization on just about any website/account that requires a log-in.
- You have to set it up for each website; they call using the 2FA feature “enabling” two-factor authentication.
- You’re in luck if a website’s menu has SECURITY or PRIVACY tab on its main menu.
- If it’s not obvious at first, just look SETTINGS, then SECURITY or PRIVACY.
- You might have to simply click on unmarked icons to find the SETTINGS.
- If that’s the case, find the drop-down menu, follow the path to SETTINGS or SECURITY and look for Two-Factor Authentication.
How 2FA works
After you type-in your user-name and password, the website shows you an on-screen message saying they’re going to send you a code number you to the cell phone number they have on record for you.
In some cases, they’ll even ask you first to verify that you know the last few digits of your cell phone number. And they’ll send a SECURITY CODE or ADVANCED ACCESS CODE to that cell phone number only.
When you enter that SECURITY CODE on the website page, that’s when you’re able to get into your account.
Use 2FA on all key online accounts.
You should consider using two-factor authentication on all your social media accounts, bank accounts and other accounts where you’re sharing personal, financial or medical information.
Set up two-factor authentication for on major websites like:
Follow our tips and everything should be fine.
Step 3 of the 5-Step Challenge is complete when you:
- Activated and enabled two-factor authorization on at least one account
- Logged into that account to test it