Two-Factor Authentication

By Abderrahman Jalled

Accounts on the internet allow you to connect with friends, share our opinions, store personal information, and collaborate on intricate projects. Securing your online profiles is more important than ever to stay safe from hackers and malware who seek to access and exploit your data. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a simple yet crucial step you can take to protect your personal information and online accounts from cybersecurity threats. 

Did you know that these common actions can endanger your online privacy? 

• Using the same password on more than one website
• Downloading a program from the Internet from an unreliable place
• Clicking links in spam emails

Even if a stranger gains your account password, 2FA helps you recognize and stop hackers from logging into your account. Here is how 2FA adds an additional layer of security to your account through a modified login process: 

1. Enter your password, as usual. 
2. You will be asked to complete an additional authentication step. The platform will usually send a unique code to your associated phone number or email address and ask you to enter the code to finish logging in. This way, the platform has confirmed that you are truly the person gaining access to the account.  

Using 2FA, if a stranger penetrates your password layer, they will still need access to your phone or email to enter your account. This extra layer of security prevents most hackers from successfully hacking your account and violating your online privacy. 

Are you worried that 2FA will take too much time every time you want to log in to your account? After completing 2FA once, most platforms will allow you to disable 2FA for your specific computer or device (since it is assumed that you are the only person who has access to your device). This way, 2FA will prevent strangers from logging into your account without your permission, but you can have a streamlined sign-in process on your computer.  

Google, Instagram, Amazon, Apple, and eBay are just some of the platforms which offer 2FA to help their users stay safe online. 2FA is an easy and extremely effective way to protect your privacy. Take 5 minutes to check which of your accounts offer 2FA – you won’t regret it! 

Take #ICanHelp’s free Digital Safety Video Course to learn more about protecting your privacy, safety, and well-being online.