What is Google’s 2 step verification?

Jan 3, 2012 by Unbeatable Machines    No Comments    Posted under: Uncategorized

You may be wondering what is Gmail’s 2 step verification. Two step verification is needing more than just one method of verification to access your account and private data. Think of it as needing two forms of ID in order to access your private data. This is great for a number of reasons, for example say you have spyware or a keylogger on your computer. There is a chance they could steal your password, then your Google account, your emails, and private data. However, if you have 2 step verification you need a password, and your phone to log into your account. With this added layer of protection the hacker will be stuck after entering your password, and you will be safe.

This is precisely why you should enable two step verification on your Google account. The slight inconvenience of having to enter the second password sent to your phone the first time logging in on a new computer is significantly out weighed by the benefits of preventing a possible attack on your account. This could be especially useful for protecting your self if you happen to be logging into your Gmail account in a public place like a coffee shop or library computer. Now even if that computer is infected and steals your password your password alone will not be enough to break into your account. For added security clear the cookies in your web browser before you leave the untrusted computer and the phone code will have to be re-entered.

Google 2 step verification adds a whole new dimension of security to your Gmail and Google accounts. To enable log into your Gmail or Google account and go to the 2-step verification settings page. Then register your phone with your Google account. After that check off if you want to be text-ed or called with the password when you log in. I prefer texts. Then the next time you log in to your Google account you will be shown a box that says to enter the phone verification code. If you want to computer to be remembered by Google check the box indicating that then click “Verify”. Congratulations you just locked down your Gmail and Google account with the added security of 2 step verification!

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