What is two-factor authentication?

Otherwise known as two-step verification, the two-factor authentication(2FA) is a security measure provided to the users of many login platforms to verify who they are. The two-factor authentication gives you the second layer of security that you need for keeping hackers from gaining access to your devices and other online accounts. Because your passwords may not be strong enough, at times you have to take the extra preventative steps in securing your devices and online accounts, by adding the two-factor authentication.

Two-factor authentication with Gmail

Two-factor authentication will help you in protecting your Gmail accounts from hackers that are able to guess your passwords and hack into your devices to steal your valuable information. Guessing passwords have become more and more easy for hackers to figure out and to set you up to get your password to stealing your Gmail accounts information. Because passwords are easy to figure out, people need the added layer of two-factor authentication to keep their Gmail accounts safe.

The two-step factor can be added to your Gmail account, which will enable the account to always require a special code for gaining access to the account. When setting up the two-factor authentication, you’ll have to link your mobile phone’s phone number to the Gmail email account so that you can receive a valid code for verifying it’s you trying to gain access to your account. The verification code is always valid for up to 30 second before it expires and then you’ll have to have a new code generated for you to use.

How to set up two-factor authentication for Google Gmail

Setting up two-factor authentication for you Gmail is simple to get you the security that you need for your email account. Keep your account safe at all times with the two-factor authentication. Below are the steps you need to take to enable your Gmail account with 2FA.

Securing Gmail with two-factor authentication

Step 1: You need to click on your name or photo in Gmail’s top navigation bar.

Step 2: You have to select “Account” from the menu that shows up on the screen. If you don’t see your photo or name, continue to doing this process:

1. Go to the “Settings” gear in Gmail.
2. Select the option “Settings.”
3. Navigate to the “Accounts and Import” tab.
4. Then click “Other Google Account” settings.

Step 3: Find the “Security” category.

Step 4: Click on the option to “Setup” or “Edit” with “Two-Factor Verification” in the “Password” section.

Step 5: If required to enter your Gmail password, enter it under passwords and then click on Sign-in.

Step 6: “Start Setup” by clicking on it under two-step authentication.

Step 7: If you are using a mobile device such as an Android, iOS or other enabled smartphone devices:

1. Click on your smartphone under “Set Up Your Phone.”
2. Next you have to install the “Google Authentication App” on your smartphone or other mobile tablet device.
3. Click on and open the Authentication app.
4. Select the + in the Google Authentication app.
5. Select the option to “Scan Bar-code” then click “Next” in the browser.
6. With your phones camera snap a clear shot of the “QR Code” on that’s on the web page.

7. Click “Next” again in the web browser.

8. You’ll need to enter the “Code” that appeared from the Google Authentication app for your email address, since it will be added under “Code.”

9.Click on the “Verify” option.

 

Steps for any other back up phones

If you use any other phones the process will be different for setting up the two-factor authentication. Following the additional steps below to show you how to set up the authentication using other phones. This verification process will send your phone “SMS” or “Voice Calls” to get your “Code.”

Step 1: If you use any other phones, select SMS for text messages or voice call located under “Set Up Your Phone.”

Step 2: Add your phone’s number; a “Mobile” or “Landline” number so Google can send codes to the phone.

Step 3: Chose the option for “SMS Text Message” if your phone can receive SMS text messages or “Automated Voice Message” if you want to have the codes read to you via voice.

Step 4: Click on “Send” code

Step 5: “Enter” the “Code” that you received as a “Google Verification Code” located under code.

Step 6: Then click on “Verify.”

Step 7: Click “Next” and then click on “Next” again.

For offline codes

Step 8: Click on “Print Code” if you don’t have your phone to print offline codes for log in to your Gmail account.

Step 9: Then Check “Yes I have a copy of my backup verification code.”

Step 10: Click on “Next” again

Step 11: Enter in your back up phone number that you can have codes sent to, if you don’t have your primary phone with you.

Step 12: If the back up phone can receive SMS or Automated Voice Messages choose the options to have Codes sent to your back up phone number.

Step 13: Test Google’s Verification Codes out on your phone.

If you are using “Add-ons” or applications to access your Gmail account

Step 1: Click on “Next.”

Step 2: Then Click “Turn on 2-Step Verification.”

Step 3: Next Click on OK located under “You are turning on 2-step verification for this account.”

Step 4: Type in your “Gmail Address”

Step 5: Type in your “Password”

Step 6: Sign In

Step 7: Enter your new two-factor verification code.

Step 8: You can choose the option to “Remember verification for this computer for 30 days” and

you won’t receive another verification for about a month, if you don’t want to do it daily.

Step 9: Then Click on “Verify”

Using a two-factor authentication for your Gmail account will keep your account protected and prove to Google Gmail that it’s you trying to access the account by using the code given for access. Hackers always work to steal people’s email information daily. Email’s contain some of the most important information that hackers deem useful, especially emails with banking accounts, social security numbers and other information pertaining to credit information. Setting up a Gmail two-factor authentication(2FA) will provide you sole access to your Gmail account, while keep others out of it.