Did you know you can increase the security of your account by removing your password and signing in with a passwordless method instead? How to go passwordless with your Microsoft Account. Two-step verification helps protect you by making it more difficult for someone else to sign in to your Microsoft account. It uses two different forms of identity: your password, and a contact method (also known as security info). Even if someone else finds your password, they'll be stopped if they don't have access to your security info. This is also why it's important to use different
passwords for all your accounts. Important: If you turn on two-step verification, you will always need two forms of identification. This means that if you forget your password, you need two contact methods. Or if you lose your contact method, your password alone won't get you back into your account—and it can take you 30 days to regain access. You may even lose access to the account. For that reason, we strongly recommend you have three pieces of security info
associated with your account, just in case. If you turn on two-step verification, you’ll get a security code to your email, phone, or authenticator app every time you sign in on
a device that isn't trusted. When two-step verification is turned off, you will only have to verify your identity with security codes periodically, when there might be a risk to your account security. Two-step
verification begins with an email address (we recommend two different email addresses, the one you normally use, and one as a backup just in case), a phone number, or an authenticator app. When you sign in on a new device or from a new location, we'll send you a security code to enter on the sign-in page. For more info about the authenticator app, see
How to use the Microsoft Authenticator app. Go to the
Security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select More security options. Under Two-step verification, choose Set up two-step verification to turn it on, or choose Turn off two-step verification to turn it off. Follow the instructions. Note: As part of setting up this account, you’ll be given a QR code to scan with your device; this is one way we ensure you are in physical possession of the device you are installing the Authenticator app to. If you forget your password when you have two-step verification turned on for your account, you can reset your password as long as we have two ways to contact you, like one of the alternate contact email addresses or phone numbers that you used when you turned on
two-step verification.About two-step verification
What two-step verification is
What happens when you turn on two-step verification
What you'll need for set up
Turn two-step verification on or off
Reset your password when two-step verification is turned on
Depending on what security info you have added to your account, this requirement might mean entering a security code from your authenticator app and entering a security code that was emailed to your backup email account.
To reset your password, follow the steps in How to reset your Microsoft account password. Instead of receiving one security code to verify your identity, though, you'll receive two.
If you're looking for info about changing, removing, or updating the alternate email address or phone number where you get security codes, follow the steps in either Security info & verification codes or Replace your Microsoft account security info.
Where you can't use security codes, use app passwords
Some apps (like the mail apps on some phones) or devices (like the Xbox 360) can't use regular security codes. If you see an “incorrect password” error on an app or device after you turn on two-step verification, but you’re sure your password was correct, that means you'll need an app password for that app or device.
App passwords are only available if you use two-step verification. If you don't have two-step verification turned on, you won't see the App passwords section on the Additional security options page.
Read about how to create and use app passwords in App passwords and two-step verification.
Need more help?
Google is now auto-enrolling its users to two-factor authentication or 2FA, which used to be an optional route.
(Photo : via Getty Images)
A picture taken on August 28, 2019 shows the US multinational technology and Internet-related services company Google logo application Amazon displayed on a tablet in Lille.
The search engine giant further announced that it plans to enable the feature by default to its 150 million users, along with two million YouTube creators, as per The Register.
Last May 7, Google hinted about its move to require its users to use the two-factor authentication by default.
The Director of Product Management, Identity, and User Security of Google, Mark Risher, went on to dub passwords as "the single biggest threat to your online security" during its initial announcement early this year.
The Google exec further pointed out the passwords are usually required to be long and complex. Thus, most users tend to repeat a single password for all platforms, which in turn makes it a security vulnerability.
Risher further wrote on the Google blog last May that even complex and long passwords still have a chance to be compromised. That said, Google wants to push its users to ditch their dependence on passwords alone in favor of two-factor authentication or what the tech firm calls two-step verification or 2SV.
It is to note that 2FA enables its users to have an extra layer of protection instead of the classic password requirement alone.
To be precise, 2FA requires a one-time code for a user to log in. The code is commonly sent by the app either via an email or text message.
As such, even if intruders successfully cracked your login credentials, they will still need the one-time code that will exclusively be sent to your phone number or email address.
Google Two-Factor Authentication Auto-Enroll
Now, Google vowed to auto-enroll the 2FA to millions of its users and YouTubers before the year ends.
Yet again, the search engine giant reiterated how unsafe passwords are during the announcement of its planned rollout. As such, Google concluded that it would be the safest choice to enroll its users to 2SV automatically.
Read Also: Google Probes Carrier Linking SMS Ad For Verification--Company's Security Director Says the Ads Do Not Come From Them
Google Two-Factor Authentication: How to Turn Off
However, if the additional security process is not your thing despite its protection benefits, Google still gives its users a free will to disable it.
Here's how to turn off the 2FA on Google, according to TheNextWeb.
- Go to your Account Settings.
- Select the Security tab.
- Scroll down to the "Signing in to Google" section.
- Toggle off the 2-Step Verification.
It is worth noting that removing the 2SV or 2FA of Google could open up security vulnerabilities that an additional authentication process provides.
That said, turn it off with precaution as the intention of Google is clear: to ramp up the security of its users.
On the other hand, users without the 2FA enabled yet could follow the same process. However, they should toggle the 2-Step Verification to ON instead of off.
Related Article: Google Authenticator Comes To Android Wear To Make Two-Factor Authentication Easier For Smartwatch Owners
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Written by Teejay Boris
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