Step-by-step guide to setting up two-factor authentication on Google, Apple, Microsoft, and social platforms for stronger account security.

It's just not safe.

Two-factor authentication adds a barrier between whoever's logging in and the account by requiring authentication in two ways, such as a computer and phone. This ...

Do you receive login security codes for your online accounts via text message? These are the six- or seven-digit numbers sent via SMS that you need to enter along with your password when trying to ...

Security experts advise against using SMS messages for two-factor authentication codes due to their vulnerability to interception or compromise. Recently, a security researcher discovered an unsecured ...

Security measures are constantly being improved to ensure updated protection for users. As a result, Google has now disclosed that it is making plans to phase out SMS security authentication for Gmail ...

In “Two-Factor Authentication, Two-Step Verification, and 1Password” (10 July 2023), I explained that for true two-factor authentication, you needed to acquire your time-based one-time password (TOTP) ...

I have long encouraged the use of two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step verification (2SV) with online accounts whenever possible (for more about the difference, see “Two-Factor Authentication, ...

Update, Mar. 1, 2025: This story, originally published Feb. 28, now includes details of a new PayPal “no code checkout” scam. Hot on the heels of Google confirming that it is replacing the use of SMS ...

Locked out? Learn what an SSO code actually is, where to find your company domain, and how to solve common login errors in Zoom, Slack, and Salesforce.