Using Two-Factor Authentication To Secure Your Online World • RI Family Photographer
Like I'm sure most of you are, I'm pretty mindful of safety and security. I lock my car (even in my driveway). Lock my home when I leave. Don't leave valuables out in the open. I'm mindful of my surroundings. South County isn't a scary or dangerous place--far from it--but that doesn't mean that break ins don't happen, so I try to prevent them.
I'm also pretty vigilant with my online safety. Passwords are changed often, and no two passwords for anything are the same. Probably very similar to what many of you are doing Sounds good, right? I thought so, until about a year and a half ago, when my business Instagram account was hacked by some Russian hackers with nefarious plans. It was the nightmare of every RI family photographer. There had been little warning signs here and there, like the emails I kept getting saying that I'd requested a password change. I ignored those persistent emails thinking they must be a glitch, because I had never asked for a new password. I was extremely lucky to be able to regain control of my Instagram account within under twenty-four hours; many people never get theirs back.
Ever since then, I've been using two-factor authentication wherever I can. What is two-factor authentication? Are you using it? Should you use it? I'll explain below.
WHAT IS IT?
Two-factor authentication is an online security measure where two separate factors are required to log into a password-protected domain. In general, one of those factors is your password. The second factor is usually a unique and time-sensitive word or number that is sent to your phone as a text, or to an email address. Two-factor authentication may also be either an option or requirement to change a password in many places.
WHY SHOULD I USE IT?
Security. It provides a whole other layer of security to whatever you're using it with. Passwords alone are fairly simple to hack and change for those who know how to do it. But when a password can't be changed without a second factor that only you have, it makes it much, much harder for a password to be hacked or changed. Two-factor authentication is available on all kinds of websites and applications, from social media like Facebook and Instagram to many online banking and credit card websites, webmail, some online photo storage and sharing sites, and thousands of other login/password sites and apps all over the world wide web.
HOW DO I ACTIVATE IT?
Most places with two-factor authentication do not activate it by default and leave that part up to you. In fact, many do not even advertise that it's an option. For some it's very obvious, but for others you may need to do some searching to find out if it's a possibility. The option is generally found in the "settings" area of sites or apps.
ISN'T IT INCONVENIENT TO FOLLOW ANOTHER STEP?
In my opinion, no. It adds a few seconds more onto a login, but the peace of mind gained from knowing your online experience is much more secure is worth it.