Many users whose activities are connected with making money on the Internet or storing important information on the network try to protect their accounts from hacking and theft of confidential data.
Of course, a complex password, including numbers and letters, as well as special characters, is quite reliable protection, but two-factor authentication provides the maximum effect.
However, not everyone knows about this option of protecting their accounts, and this despite the fact that today more and more services (mailers, social networks, etc.) offer to take this opportunity.
What is two-factor authentication?
So what kind of protection are we talking about? In fact, you have already encountered two-step authentication. For example, when you are going to perform any operation with money on the WebMoney website, then, in addition to the login and password, you will need to specify a verification code that will come to your mobile phone.
In other words, two-factor authentication is the second key to your account. If you activate this option, for example, in Evernote (there is such a possibility), then the attacker who managed to pick up the password for this note service will encounter another problem - the requirement to specify a one-time code that comes to your phone number. It is worth noting that in case of an attempt to hack into your account, you will receive SMS, and you can immediately change the password.
Agree that this is a very convenient option, using which you will worry less about the loss of personal information.
Where is better to use?
Of course, some users may object, arguing that two-step authentication is too many “unnecessary movements”, and in general, it is intended for paranoid people who always think that someone is following them.
Perhaps they are right in some ways. For example, for social networks it is not necessary to use this method of protection. Although here you can argue. As a rule, attackers try to hack into the accounts of administrators of popular "publics". And you, most likely, would also not want to notice one day that your account in one of the "social networks" has been hacked and absolutely indecent photos are posted on the "Wall".
As for other services, for example, Yandex two-factor authentication will allow you to keep your registration data from payment systems (PayPal, WebMoney and others) or letters containing secret information securely.
Google Account Protection
One of the most popular services today is Google. It is here that you can register yourself an electronic mailbox, store documents on a Google drive, create a free blog or channel on YouTube, which can subsequently bring you profit.
In order to ensure that users are confident in the safety of documents stored on mail or disk, they are offered two-factor authentication Google. To activate it, you must log in to your account.
Now, having opened, for example, a mailbox, pay attention to the avatar in the upper right corner. Click on it and go to "My Account". Here you need the “Security and Login” section, namely the “Login to Google Account” link.
On the right you will see the option “Two-step authentication”, where you need to click the arrow to activate it. A window will open in which you are interested in the “Proceed with setup” button. Enter your password and follow the instructions.
Yandex two-factor authentication
Yandex also offers its users a lot of useful services. In addition to cloud storage of information on Yandex.Disk, you can get yourself an electronic wallet, where you will withdraw money earned on the Internet.
Well, of course, Yandex did not stand aside and also offers its users to use two-factor authentication to protect documents stored in the mailbox.
To enable it, you will need to perform a few simple steps. Log in to your account and click LMB on the profile photo (in the upper right corner). In the drop-down menu, select "Passport". A window will open in which you need to click on the "Access Control" link. Set the “slider” to the “ON” position. You will be redirected to the page where you need to click on the button “Start setup”. Now go through the 4 steps to activate two-factor protection.
Social network VKontakte"
If you are an active user of the social network in question, then you will most likely be interested in what VKontakte two-factor authentication is.
As mentioned above, attackers usually try to gain access to the accounts of “admins” of popular groups. But this is not always the case, because it may be of interest to simply personal correspondence of some person known on the Internet.
It is worth noting that for some users this method of protecting your account over time begins to cause irritation, as it requires the constant entry of a secret code, in addition to a username and password. In such cases, you need to know how to disable two-factor authentication. However, we will first deal with the activation of this option.
In fact, enabling two-step authentication is very simple. Select My Settings, and then go to the Security tab. In the "Login Confirmation" section, click on the "Connect" button. Now follow all the requirements consistently.
Turn off two-factor authentication
In order to deactivate two-stage protection in Yandex, you will need to go back to your “Passport” by clicking on the profile picture. After that, open the "Access Control" section and set the slider to the "Off" position.
Conclusion
Now you know what double-circuit authentication is and why it is needed. Using this or that service, you can activate this additional protection or refuse such an opportunity.
Of course, in some cases, it is highly recommended that you enable 2-step verification. For example, when registering for WebMoney, you specified mail from Yandex. Working on the Internet, you can become a victim of hackers who break into your inbox and gain access to an electronic wallet. To avoid this, it is better to set a strong password and bind e-mail to the phone. This way you can quickly respond if they try to hack you.
Well, as for the various social networks, then if you use them only to communicate with friends, two-step authentication can be omitted.