What is 2FA? Why should you use it?

So, if you haven't used this feature yet, why not give it a try?

How does 2FA work?

When you enable 2FA, you'll typically start by entering your password into a website or app. Once you're done, you'll verify your identity through a second form of authentication.

2FA can take many forms. Some services will send you a text message or email with a code; in others, you'll need to scan a QR code. Other examples of 2FA include opening an app and selecting a number, while others will require you to move your finger along a slider or enter biometric information.

Benefits of using 2FA

What is 2FA? Why should you use it? Picture 1

Considering the tricks used to hack passwords, having more than one form of authentication can protect you. Even if someone cracks your password, they still have to verify their identity in another way that they normally wouldn't have access to.

Even so, you should still use strong passwords to prevent people from breaching your first line of defense whenever possible. There are a number of online password generators that can generate secure random passwords.

How to set up 2FA

What is 2FA? Why should you use it? Picture 2

Setting up 2FA will depend on the service you use. The best way to stay safe is to use an authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator. If you use Gmail or Outlook, check out this guide on how to secure your Gmail account with 2FA.

You can also learn how to set up 2FA on GitHub and your social media accounts.

If you're not using 2FA, you're putting yourself at greater risk than you need to. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for someone to hack your account, and the additional verification process doesn't take much longer than usual. While the steps may vary by service, try using an authenticator app if possible.

Lesley Montoya

Update 06 September 2024