Adding multi-factor authentication to personal accounts

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Overview

 

• This article outlines the steps to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-step (or two-factor) authentication (2FA), to the most common service providers.

 

What is MFA?

 

• MFA requires users to provide two or more factors of evidence to access electronic resources. Most 2FA requires an additional password (something the user knows) or a passcode (something the user has) as a second form of providing evidence.

 

 

• Using MFA decreases the risk of third-party hackers from successfully logging into your accounts and stealing personally identifiable information (PII). PII includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, home addresses, and many more forms of intimate information. The more services you enable MFA for, the more protected your personal information is. 
• Adding MFA to email accounts is a high priority for preventing hackers from accessing other accounts and sensitive information through use of access account recovery information sent through email. MFA can and should be used for other services. Gmail, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, financial instututions, and many other services offer MFA for their users.

 

MFA with common service providers

 

• Amazon

 

• After signing into your Amazon account on a desktop browser, click on Your Account. Under Login & Security, click Edit on the right-side of Two-Step Verification settings. Continue the requested steps prompted on the screen. 

 

 

• Apple

 

• After signing into your Apple account under Manage Your Apple ID, click on Security and again on Two-Factor Authentication. The steps for iOS and macOS look slightly different.
• For iOS, start with Settings > Password & Security > Turn on Two-Factor Authentication.
• For macOS, start by clicking on System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details > Security > Turn on Two-Factor Authentication.

 

 

• Facebook

 

• On the desktop, go to Settings > Security and Login. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click Edit. If you select an authenticator app, Facebook will produce a QR code on the desktop screen. Open your authenticator app on your smartphone, select add, and hold your smartphone up to capture the code. The next time you sign into Facebook and it requests your six-digit code, open the authenticator app to retrieve it.

 

 

• Google 

 

• After signing into your Google Account, select Security. Under Getting Started, you will be guided through the steps of securing MFA.
• After signing in, you will be directed to sign in to your Google Account, you'll need your password and a verification code to log in.

 

 

• Instagram

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• On the desktop or through the mobile application, tap Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication.
  • Option one: turn on Text Message and add your phone number.
  • Option two: turn on the Authentication app option to receive a key to enter into an authenticator app like Duo Mobile.

 

 

• LinkedIn

 

• Go to the Me menu > Settings & Privacy > Account > Two-step verification to activate. You'll receive get a six-digit code you have to enter to verify.

 

 

• Microsoft

 

• After signing into your Microsoft account, click on Security > More Security Options. Click on the second option, Two-step Verification. Enter the Set up an identity verification portion and follow the prompts on the screen. Microsoft will then prompt you to download the Microsoft authentication app. Download the application or select Other and use Duo Mobile or Google prompt.

 

 

• X (Twitter)

 

• Log in to Twitter on desktop or mobile, tap Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication. 

 

 

• Yahoo

 

• After signing into your Yahoo account, select Manage Accounts in the top-right of the screen and click on Account Info. Under Account Security, you will find Two-Step verification. Third-party authenticator apps cannot be used which requires users to use Yahoo Account Key.