There are many applications today that let us login to the system using 2FA or 2 Factor Authentication. 2FA let the user have a secondary way of authenticating before finally allowing access to the system – basically via mobile phones. The concept is, mobile phone is with you most of the time so it means when you login to the system, few seconds, it will send a notification to your phone to confirm that login. In other words, if your password is hacked and were used to login remotely without your knowledge, 2FA notifies you that there is a login done- in which case, don’t confirm that login.
Banks, big companies even Gcash and Paymaya have own sets of activating the 2FA to secure their users.
For this article, we will talk about how to activate the 2FA for these 3 common big tech companies which is we commonly use as well, namely, Google, Microsoft and Facebook.
Google 2FA Activation
You need to have both applications ready, your Google email/account and have the Google authenticator downloaded and handy. Proceed with below when you’re ready.
Google Authenticator App
-Download Google Authenticator from the Google Play Store if you are using Android or in the App Store if you are using Iphone/Ipad.
In your Google Email/Account
-Open your Google Account.
-In the navigation panel, select Security.
-Look for Signing in to Google, select 2-Step Verification to Get started.
-Follow the on-screen steps.
Microsoft 2FA Activation
Same as above, have your Microsoft account ready along with the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Microsoft Authenticator App
-Download Microsoft Authenticator from the Google Play if you are using Android or in the App Store if you are using Iphone/Ipad.
In your Microsoft Account
-Go to the Security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account.
-Select Advance security options.
-Scroll down to 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.
Facebook (Meta) 2FA Activation
Facebook 2FA is done via SMS (Short Message Service) or via 3rd party App. Most of us conveniently use the SMS. These will send number/pin to your nominated/linked phone number. Another is via 3rd party app. Since you’re familiar already with Google Authenticator and Microsoft authenticator and most likely you have one installed in your mobile already, you just can use and leverage that. The procedure is the same.
In your Facebook Account
Either you are using the web version or the Facebook app version, look for and it has to be in the settings.
-Select Settings then Security and Login then Use two-factor authentication
-Choose the authentication method you want to add and follow the on-screen instructions
-Finish once you’ve selected and turned on an authentication method
If you want visual for Facebook 2FA setup, please check this article – securing your Facebook account from hacks.
That’s it!
Important note
Don’t lost you linked number or mobile phone, otherwise, you will have difficulty logging in into your respective Google, Microsoft, Facebook or any accounts with 2FA activated.
Make sure also that you have set up a recovery method for your accounts.
