Use Two-Factor Authentication: Protecting Your Mobile Devices from Cyber Threats

How many accounts does an average user have? According to the research, a person with an active digital life has 100 accounts on average. We communicate, shop, and make transactions every day. And tons of sensitive information about us is kept in the services we use. To minimize the risk to become a victim of hacking, identity theft, or data breach, it is important to use all the security methods available.

Two-factor authentication (TFA) is one of them. Let’s explore what it is, what is the role of TFA in mobile safety, figure out how to enable TFA in various services, and check out how to start using KeepSolid Authenticator to protect your sensitive information. 

 What is Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure that adds an extra layer of protection to mobile devices by requiring users to provide two different types of authentication to access their accounts or data. The two types of authentication factors are something you know and something you have:

• Something you know refers to a piece of information that only you should know, like password, PIN, or security question answer. This type of authentication factor is commonly used in mobile devices and is the first step in the authentication procedure.
• Something you have refers to a physical or virtual object that you possess, such as a fingerprint, security key, or verification code sent to another device. This type of authentication factor is the second step in the authentication process and is used to verify the user's identity.

These TFA methods are widespread and we can use them in our everyday routine when we unblock our mobile devices with a password and fingerprint or FaceID or log in to our email account receiving the TFA code on our mobile phone or Authenticator app. 

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Mobile Devices

A big variety of mobile apps and services offer two-factor authentication (2FA) as a protective option for their users. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to enable 2FA on different mobile devices and services:

iPhone/iPad

1. If your Apple ID account isn’t already using TFA, go to Settings  > Your Name > Password & Security.
2. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, then tap Continue.
3. Enter a trusted phone number, a phone number where you want to receive verification codes for two-factor authentication (it can be the number for your iPhone).
4. You can choose to receive the codes by text message or automated phone call.
5. Tap Next.
6. Enter the verification code sent to your trusted phone number.

You won’t be asked for a verification code again on your iPhone unless you sign out completely, erase your iPhone, sign in to your Apple ID account page in a web browser, or need to change your Apple ID password for security reasons.

Google

1. Log in to your Google account on your device.
2. Click the Security tab on the left.
3. Click 2-Step Verification.
4. Click Get Started.
5. Enter your Google password to confirm it's you.
6. Click Try It Now.
7. Tap Yes on the Google pop-up that appears on your phone/tablet.
8. Confirm your phone number as a backup option in case Google Prompt doesn't work.
9. Enter the code that is texted to your number and click Next.
10. Click Turn On to enable two-factor authentication.

Facebook

1. Go to your Facebook settings.
2. Click Security and Login in the left-hand menu.
3. Look for the Two-Factor Authentication section and click Edit.
4. Follow the prompts to set up 2FA using your phone number or an authentication app.

The procedure to enable the TFA may vary a little, but in general, if you follow the onscreen tips you will have no difficulties setting it up. By enabling 2FA and keeping backup authentication methods, users can protect their personal and sensitive information on mobile devices and accounts. 

What Two-Factor Authentication Method to Choose

As we’ve already explained Two-Factor Authentication requires a user to enter the second authentication factor to get access to his account. And this second authentication method may vary. Here are the most popular types of authentication methods to choose from:

• SMS Verification: When a user enters his username and password, he will receive a unique code via SMS that he needs to enter to access his account.
• Mobile Authenticator App: Users can install a mobile app that generates a unique code that they must enter in addition to their username and password to access their account.
• Hardware Tokens: Hardware tokens are physical devices that generate unique codes that users must enter. This method is often used by companies to provide employees with secure access to company networks.
• Biometric Authentication: Biometric authentication is a TFA method that uses unique physical characteristics to verify a user's identity like fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans.
• Email Verification: Email verification is a TFA method where users receive a unique code via email that they must enter in addition to their username and password.
• Voice Recognition: Voice recognition is a TFA method where users must speak a passphrase or answer security questions to verify their identity.

How to Connect and Use KeepSolid Authenticator App

KeepSolid Authenticator is a mobile authenticator app that generates a security code to enter as a second authentication factor. To start using it, follow these steps:

1. Install the app from the App Store or Google Play and run it.
2. Turn on the 2FA in the service you need and get a QR code.
3. Tap Pair new service on the Main Screen of the Authenticator app.
4. Scan the QR code you’ve got with KeepSolid Authenticator.
5. Now you’ve linked the first service to the Authenticator App. 
6. Then enter the generated six-digit code into the service you need. 

That’s it! This will link KeepSolid Authenticator to the service you need. Every time you log in to your account on a new device, you’ll need to provide a six-digit authentication code from your KeepSolid Authenticator.

Conclusion

In summary, two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to mobile devices by requiring users to provide two different types of authentication to access their accounts or data. 

Many mobile apps and services now offer 2FA as an option for users to enable, and it's important to keep backup authentication methods in case of device loss or damage. Users should consider enabling two-factor authentication on all mobile devices and accounts that contain personal or sensitive information to protect against potential security breaches.