Tag: Two-Factor Authentication

Twitter has finally begun allowing users to use 3rd party two factor authentication apps to verify their identity.  The new feature is rolling out to users accounts online and you can now select the default SMS authentication or a 3rd party authentication tool.

In April, the social micro blogging site rolled out SMS authentication that allowed users to have an authentication code texted to them when they were logging into their account.  That is still enabled by default but you now have the option to use a 3rd party app like Google Authenticator to verify your identity.   The feature requires that you log into your Twitter account online, then go to Settings & Privacy in your account settings.  There you can setup an authentication app.

After a limited rollout nearly a year ago, Instagram has rolled out two-factor authentication to all users.  The new security feature can be enabled through settings and once it is done, it will require that you authenticate not only with your password but with a SMS code sent to you phone.  This will only be required if you log out of the app and not every time you use it (assuming you keep yourself logged in).

Two-Factor authentication is something I highly encourage readers to enable on all their accounts, especially social networks.  It significantly cuts down on your risk of your account being compromised.  Yes it is a pain to have to deal with but it is better than the alternative.