What is Two-Factor Authentication?

This process adds another layer of security to your account, making it much harder for malicious actors to attack and steal your data. You need two elements to access a 2FA-protected profile:

Something you know (password or PIN)
Something you have (access to a specific device)

When using 2FA, you'll be prompted for a password each time you want to sign in to your account. Then the one-time code will be automatically sent to your mobile phone; If you can prove that you also own the device, you can sign in.

Even if a cybercriminal gets a password and tries to break into your account, he or she will need to have physical access to your phone.

How is 2FA different from 2SV?

If you already have 2-step verification (2SV), do you need 2-step verification? The answer is yes. Although 2SV also offers some additional layers of protection, the "something you have" section is not necessarily required. You can use either two USB security keys, two passwords, or a combination of password and security question to access your account when the 2SV service is turned on.

The main difference between the two is relatively simple:
If you use 2FA, a bad participant who wants to hack your account will need to download two types of theft: they will have to steal your physical device ("something you have") and your password ("something you know").

If you rely on 2SV, a hacker will only have to commit one type of crime multiple times. It just needs to steal your information - such as your password and the answer to your security question. If he uses spyware or blackmails data breaches, he may already have both. While both of these security measures increase the security of your account and should be used wherever possible, 2FA offers more benefits. Needless to say, any form of protection is better than none.

How To Enable 2FA

2FA on MacOS and iOS

MacOS
If you're setting up 2FA on MacOS, go to the System Preferences menu in the Apple menu and select Apple ID. Navigate to Password and Security and click Turn on two-factor authentication. If you're using a MacOS Mojave or older operating system, you should go to System Preferences and click on iCloud. Next, select Account Details, Security, and Turn on two-factor authentication.

iOS
If you're using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you should first go to Settings and Password and Security. If you're using an older version of the operating system - iOS 10.2 or earlier - go to Settings, iCloud and Apple ID and click Turn on two-factor authentication. Then enter the phone number you want to use as an authentication device. Apple will send you a text or phone code, depending on your preferences. To complete the two-factor authentication setup process, verify your number.

2FA on Google

Google confusingly uses the term "two-step verification" when referring to their 2FA features, so in this case, you'll set 2SV. Go to Login and Security. Enter your password and phone number to get the verification code. You can either leave the default option and receive your security codes via text or voice messages, receive a prompt from Google to expedite authentication, or use the Authenticator app.

With Google Prompt, you won't have to enter verification codes every time you want to access your account. Instead, you'll get a notification asking if you're really trying to sign in. Just click "Yes" and you are logged in.

2FA in Windows 10

If you're a Windows 10 user, the 2FA setup process is simple and can be done online through your Microsoft account. You can use an email, phone number, or a special Microsoft Authenticator application as part of the authentication process. Head to the Microsoft Security Essentials page and log in to your Microsoft account. Then click More security options and Set up 2-step verification and follow the instructions to complete the setup process.

Take security to the next level

Now might be a good time to browse all your accounts (Amazon, Dropbox, Facebook, PayPal, etc.) and add another layer of security.