What is two-factor authentication, anyway?
Two-factor authentication adds another step to the login process when you sign in to a website or app. You enter your username and password as you normally would, but instead of being logged in, you will then be asked to enter in a security code that expires after a single use. In a sense, it's a password for your password.
There are multiple ways to get these security codes: The most common is via a simple text message to your phone, and most services that offer two-factor authentication default to this option. Depending on the service, you can also get codes through specialized smartphone apps, via email, or through specialized "security token" devices—dedicated pocket-sized devices that can generate and provide security codes for you.
How to set it up
Here's how to turn it on for six popular online services.
- Dropbox
- Google (Google+, Gmail, and so on)
- Microsoft (Outlook, SkyDrive, Xbox Live, others)
- PayPal
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