Two-step authentication, two-factor authentication or the slightly less unwieldy '2FA' is a pretty necessary bit of security these days, but it sure is unwieldy.
Not just its terrible name, but the whole process. You sign in on a computer, get a text message or email with a code that you have to manually type out, and only then can you log in.
Google has had a stab at making things simpler, and it's actually really good. Because pretty much everyone has a smartphone and the vast majority of them are using iOS or Android, Google reckons that linking your account to your handset is safe enough. If you try to log-in to Gmail on a new PC, your phone will get a prompt asking you if it's okay. Just say that it is, and you're good to go. No unwieldy entry of numbers or text: just a single tap.
Google only lets you do this if you have a lock screen on your phone, and it requires either Android or an iPhone 5S or later. You have to opt-in to the system to get it working, and here's how.
-
Head to the Security section of your Google account.
-
Click on “2-Step Verification”.
-
A new option called “Google Prompt” should be there. Select it
-
Select your phone from the drop down box (most people will only have one, but just to be safe)
-
Google will send a test prompt to confirm. Select “yes” on your phone when it comes through and you're good to go!
Of course, this won't solve ALL your 2FA problems in one go. Any sites that aren't Google will still require you to do things the old fashioned way, but given Google has an awful lot of services that people use, it's a good one to start out with.
Image: Japanexpertana used under Creative Commons
-1.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0)
.png&w=100&c=1&s=0)
