When you sign up to create a Google account, you’ll need to create a password. Creating a strong password for your account helps ensure your account is not easily hacked. However, it does not rule out the possibility of your Google account being hacked and compromised. You can improve the security of your Google account by setting up two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication or 2FA ensures that your Google account is accessed only when there is appropriate proof of confirmed access. With 2FA, in addition to the account password, users need to provide other means of verification to access the account. With Google, this other means of verification comes in different forms, which are explained below.
How to enable 2FA with Google Prompts
You can use Google prompts if your Android phone is signed in to a Google account or your iPhone has the Google app. Google prompts are push notifications sent to your mobile phone asking you to confirm your login on another device. So you are the only one with access to the account. Here’s how to enable 2FA using Google’s prompts:
Step 1: Visit the Google Account website in a web browser. Sign in with your Google account details.
Step 2: On the left side of the Google Account window, click Security.
Step 3: Scroll down the window to ‘Sign in to Google’ and click ‘Use your phone to sign in.’
Step 4: On the new window, click Next.
Step 5: Provide your account password to verify your identity.
Step 6: On the new window, you will see a prompt asking you to open the Google app (Gmail, Photos, etc.) on your mobile phone and respond.
Step 7: On your mobile device, tap ‘Yes, it’s me’ to reply to the prompt.
Step 8: Tap the number displayed on your mobile app to match the number displayed on your Google account.
Step 9: On the new Google Account window, click Next.
Step 10: Click Enable to enable Google Prompts for your next login.
How to enable 2FA with your phone number
Another way to enable 2FA on your Google account requires your phone number. With your phone number recorded, Google may send you a verification code via text message or phone call. Here’s how to enable 2FA with your phone number:
Step 1: Go to Google Account in browser and enter your account details to sign in.
Step 4: On the left side of the Google Account window, click Security.
Step 5: Scroll down the window to ‘Sign in to Google’ and click ‘2-Step Verification’.
Step 6: Provide your account password to verify your identity.
Step 7: If your Google Account has reminders enabled, click Show more options at the bottom of the page.
Step 8: Click on Text message or voice call from the options.
Step 9: Provide your phone number and choose between Text Message or Phone Call on how you want Google to send you the code.
Step 10: Click Next.
Step 11: Depending on your choice, check your phone for a text message or call with a verification code sent by Google.
Step 12: Enter the relevant code in the verification box and click Next.
Step 13: Click Enable to enable phone number verification for your next login.
How to enable 2FA with an authenticator
Unlike phone numbers and prompts that require the network to receive the necessary codes, authenticator apps work offline. Authenticator generates a one-time code that you can use to sign in to your Google account. However, you will need to set up 2FA with your phone number to use this method. Here’s how to enable 2FA with an authenticator app:
Step 1: Go to Google Account in a web browser and sign in with your Google account details.
Step 2: On the left side of the Google Account window, click Security.
Step 3: Scroll down the window to ‘Sign in to Google’ and click ‘2-Step Verification’.
Step 4: Provide your account password to verify your identity.
Step 5: Scroll to the bottom of the new page and click on ‘Authenticator App’.
Step 6: On your phone, download Google Authenticator.
Step 7: Click ‘Set Up Authenticator.’
Step 8: Scan the QR code with the downloaded authenticator app.
Step 9: Click Next.
Step 10: Enter the 6-digit code displayed on the authenticator app into the dialog box and click Verify.
How to enable 2FA with a backup code
Backup codes work like authenticator apps in that they are one-time codes. However, unlike the code on the authenticator app, backup codes can be used up and they require internet access to be created. Here’s how to enable 2FA with a backup code:
Step 1: Open the Google Account page in a web browser on your computer and sign in with your Google account details.
Step 2: On the left side of the Google Account window, click Security.
Step 3: Scroll down the window to ‘Sign in to Google’ and click ‘2-Step Verification’.
Step 4: Provide your account password to verify your identity.
Step 5: Scroll to the bottom of the new page and click Backup Code.
Step 6: Click Get backup code to create a list of 10 codes.
Step 7: Click Print Code or Download Code to save the code.
Fix Google Authenticator not working
If you’ve downloaded Google Authenticator on your device as your preferred authenticator app, you may experience a situation where it stops working. To fix it, you can try backing up the app, then uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Hopefully, that gets you going.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
