look news india
New Delhi. Amidst the increasing threats of cyber security, data breaches and millions of passwords being leaked on the dark web every day, maintaining digital security has become the biggest challenge for every internet user. Your Google account is not limited to just email (Gmail), but everything from your YouTube channel, personal documents stored on Google Drive, personal memories of Google Photos and banking transactions related to Google Pay is directly connected to it. If a hacker gets hold of your Google password, your entire digital identity may be in danger.
However, Google has a very effective security system, after turning it on, even if a cyber criminal knows your correct password, he cannot log in to your account without your permission. this protective shield Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Or Google 2-Step Verification It is said. Let us know how it works and how to activate it on your smartphone or computer in just a few minutes.
The simple log-in process requires you to simply enter a username (e-mail ID) and password. This is called ‘single-factor authentication’. If you used an unsecured Wi-Fi network, clicked on a phishing link, or your password got lost in a data leak on a third-party website, anyone can directly log into your account.
Two-Factor Authentication adds an additional and impenetrable second layer of security to your account. When you turn on 2FA, log-in takes two steps:
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First Step (Something You Know): Your e-mail ID and your password.
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Second Step (Something You Have): One-time password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile phone, security code from Google Authenticator app, or tap prompt displayed on your phone screen (Google Prompt – “Yes, it’s me”).
Its direct benefit is that even if a hacker steals your password from any corner of the world, as soon as he tries to log in, the Google system will immediately send an authentication code or prompt to your personal smartphone. Since the phone is physically in your hands, the hacker will never be able to get past that second step and your account will remain 100% safe.
Follow the simple steps below to activate two-factor authentication on your Google Account:
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Step 1: Go to Google Account Settings: Go to your phone or computer’s browser and open myaccount.google.com (or go to your phone’s ‘Settings’, select ‘Google’ and tap ‘Manage your Google Account’).
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Step 2: Select the Security tab: In the menu visible on the screen Security Click on the tab.
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Step 3: Click on 2-Step Verification: Under the section ‘How you sign in to Google’ 2-Step Verification The option will appear. by clicking on this ‘Get Started’ Tap on.
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Step 4: Re-verify password: Google will ask you to re-enter your existing password for security verification. Proceed by entering the password.
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Step 5: Select phone and device: Google will show you a list of devices on which your account is already logged in. you your phone Google Prompt Click on ‘Continue’ to use as.
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Step 6: Add backup phone number: After this you will have to enter your 10 digit mobile number. You will have to choose the option to ask for 6 digit OTP through text message (SMS) or phone call.
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Step 7: Enter the code and turn on 2FA: Enter the code that came on your phone on the screen and finally ‘Turn On’ Click on the button. Now two-step verification is fully activated on your account.
Often people turn on 2FA, but in case the phone is lost, stolen or there is no network in the SIM while traveling abroad, they themselves get locked out of their account. To avoid such a situation, you should immediately setup the following additional security options within the 2-Step Verification page:
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Backup Codes: Google lets you download or print a list of 10 single-use ‘Backup Codes’ each consisting of 10 digits. Write these down safely in a diary. When the phone or SIM does not work, you can log in by entering this code.
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Google Authenticator App: Download the Authenticator app from Play Store or App Store. It generates Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP) every 30 seconds without any internet or mobile network.
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Passkeys: You can also register your phone’s fingerprint or face unlock as Google Passkey, which eliminates the hassle of typing passwords forever.
Just creating a complex password is not enough to protect against cyber attacks. If you have not yet turned on 2-Step Verification on your Gmail and Google accounts, turn it on today to avoid any untoward incident or financial loss.