These little key-shaped fobs plug into your computer and, along with your password, complete the second half of a 2FA web login. The best way to set up two-factor authentication is to use a secure app on your phone to generate those six-digit codes or to carry a piece of hardware that can verify your identity.Ī device like the YubiKey is just that sort of hardware. Combined with a strong passphrase like those generated by password managers such as 1Password or LastPass, a 2FA login is quite effective at verifying your identity.īut no matter how strong a password is, or what level of code-based authentication a website is using, any system that sends codes in a text message can be compromised from afar by a skilled attacker. When a unique scramble of numbers shows up on your phone, you type them into the browser along with your password at the login screen. One of the more common 2FA methods in use today employs six-digit passcodes that are sent to your phone via text message. This protocol-commonly abbreviated as 2FA-requires you to type in a password and also provide one other piece of proof that you are who you say you are before you can log in to a service.

One of the most important steps you can take to secure your online services is setting up two-factor authentication. As we become more dependent upon online platforms for social and professional purposes, it grows increasingly important that we embrace stronger online security measures.

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