With the number of data breaches that have occurred, hackers almost certainly have your password. If they don’t you are now more likely than ever to become the victim of a phishing attack. What’s standing between the hackers and your data? Hopefully, it’s two-factor authentication.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional step that verifies your identity. You’ve encountered it any time you’ve entered you email/username and password but couldn’t log in until you entered another code. This code typically gets sent as a text message, but some systems are setup to send the code to email. There are also apps that provide two-factor authentication codes after syncing the app with the platform. The 2FA apps are almost always more secure, but can be less convenient. Two-factor authentication that involves email can be convenient but is less secure. A good compromise for 2FA is getting a code via SMS text message on your phone.

Important Tip:

If you lose your mobile device or change your phone number, you may have a very difficult time gaining access to two-factor authentication enabled accounts. Before upgrading to the latest model smartphone or switching carriers, be sure to disable 2FA.

We recommend setting up two-factor authentication with all of your online accounts that offer it.

Use the links below to get started:

Google: https://www.google.com/landing/2step/

Twitter: https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/two-factor-authentication

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/148233965247823

Facebook (Business Page): https://www.facebook.com/business/help/280940009201586?id=199156230960298

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GE6SLZ5J9GCNRW44

Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/566810106808145

Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915

Dropbox: https://help.dropbox.com/teams-admins/team-member/enable-two-step-verification

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/544/turn-two-step-verification-on-and-off?lang=en

Microsoft: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/how-to-use-two-step-verification-with-your-microsoft-account-c7910146-672f-01e9-50a0-93b4585e7eb4

Samsung: https://account.samsung.com/membership/guide/2step/gate

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/faq4057

Reddit: https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043470031

Zoom: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360038247071-Setting-up-and-using-two-factor-authentication-2FA-

Square: https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/5593-2-step-verification

WhatsApp: https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/verification/how-to-manage-two-step-verification-settings/

Yahoo: https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN5013.html

Aol: https://help.aol.com/articles/2-step-verification-stronger-than-your-password-alone