In these days we are having at least pair of online accounts. From social network to emails, we are daily login and logout a set of web services everyday with simple passwords. Are the passwords are safe to protect your online account. I’ll say it is not the safe way to keep the account safe, if you are using your account for online transactions and banking related works. If a hacker can hack your password easily, because about 90% of users uses simple passwords or easy to guess or easily hackable passwords. Then how one can protect their account safely, the current available solution is go for a 2-step verification. With 2-Step Verification, you’ll protect your account with both your password and your phone.
Wondering what is a 2-Step Verification is? The 2-Step Verification is a process which adds an additional layer of security to your online accounts by asking you a verification code from your mobile in addition to your account username and password, when signing in to your account. This 2-Step Verification protects your account from unauthorized access, in a way that a user who stole your password from any means cannot enter your account unless he enters a verification code received through mobile. Which doesn’t possible, as the mobile is with you, you can easily find the culprit. This provide better security to your account, if your password is cracked, stolen by an attacker can’t sign in without entering the verification code, which only available to your own mobile phone or the primary phone number you entered in your account. Simple, isn’t it?
How 2-Step Verification works
Want to know how this 2-Step Verification works. Simple, how to sign in to your Google account? what you will do? you’ll enter your username and password. Is it right? Here you have to enter one more secret code that you only know only at that moment-a numeric secret verification code. In the second stage of sign in process you’ll be asked for a verification code that will be sent to your mobile phone via text message (SMS), voice call, or using mobile app. After successfully entering the verification code you can safely enter your online Google account. You don’t want to worry about your passwords, as it is not the only protection available for your Google account.
Here is the trick;
Step 1: You’ll enter your password. Whenever you sign in to Google, you’ll enter your password as usual.
Step 2: You’ll be asked for something else. A code will be sent to your phone via text, voice call, or our mobile app. Or, if you have a Security Key, you can insert it into your computer’s USB port.
Got the idea? Now, how to ask for two step verification in each time? Here is the trick. During sign-in, you can choose not to use 2-Step Verification again on that particular computer. From then on, that computer will only ask for your password when you sign in. You’ll still be covered, because when you or anyone else tries to sign in to your account from another computer, 2-Step Verification will be required.
Turn on 2-Step Verification
The 2-Step Verification on Google provides an additional security to your Google Account’s like Gmail. You can enable 2-Step Verification, so you have your username,password, and a verification code received on your phone is needed to access your Google/Gmail account.
To enable the 2-Step Verification on your Google account go to 2-Step Verification page under your Google Account settings. Sign in with your current username and password. A screen shows “Signing in with 2-step verification”. Click on “Start Setup>>”. The next screen will ask your Phone number. enter your personal mobile number or the phone you always carry with you to receive the verification code. Google will send a numeric code to your phone number you entered in the box whenever you sign in from an untrusted computer. Below the Phone number box you can select the option that you want to receive the code. You can select either via Test message (SMS) or as a voice call. I think Test message (SMS) is the best option. After that click “Send code”.
Now onwards, whenever you sign in to your Google account, you’ll enter your username and password as usual. Then, a text message will receive on your phone and you’ll be asked to enter the code that will be sent to your phone via text, voice call, or Google mobile app. After entering the verification code you can enter your account safely.
To enable 2-step verification go to Google account setting using this link- https://www.google.com/accounts/SMSAuthConfig
Turn off 2-Step Verification
To turn off 2-Step Verification, again visit the 2-Step Verification page under Google Account settings. Now sign in with username, password, and the verification code sent to your mobile. Then Click “Turn off 2-Step Verification”. A pop-up window will appear to confirm to turn off the 2-Step Verification feature. If you decide to turn off the feature Click “OK”.
Do you think the 2-Step Verification feature is the best feature to protect your online accounts? What is your experience with a 2-step verification process? Is there any chance to stole your mobile phone to access or hack your online account !
