How to enable 2-Step Verification on your Gmail account

Two-factor authentication(2FA) or 2-Step verification is an extra layer of security for your online account,its designed to ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password. It significantly decreases the risk of a hacker accessing your online accounts by combining your password with a second factor, ex. your mobile phone.

This post is part of Regain your Privacy series, for other posts check out here,here,here & here..

With two-factor authentication, your account can only be accessed on devices you trust.Here are the broad steps of how 2FA works :

1. When you want to sign in, enter your username and password on sign-in page.
2. You would be asked for a second verification step i.e., a six-digit code or a prompt, which you would receive from Google on your phone.
3. By entering the code, you’re verifying that you trust the new device.

You won’t be asked for a second verification step again when you sign in from this computer but If you sign in from another computer,you would be asked for a second verification step.

Steps to enable 2-Step Verification on your Gmail account

Step# 1.Log in to your Google account and navigate to Account Settings page(Click on the icon in blue in the upper right-hand corner, and select Account).

Image — Google Login

Step #2.Under Signing In section,you’ll find 2-Step verification listed as ‘Off’.Once you click on 2-Step Verification,you will be directed to the next page, then click ‘Get Started’ to complete 3 step process.

Image — Enable 2FA

Image — Get Started with 2-Step Verification

Step #3.In the 1st step,enter your phone number to receive the verification codes.Also choose how to do you want to get the codes either via text message or phone call.Click ‘Next’ button.

Image — Enter your Phone#

Step #4.Google would have sent verification codes to your mobile number.Enter the verification code & click on ‘Next’ button.

Image — Confirm Verification codes

Step #5.Post verification,Click on ‘Turn On’ button to enable 2-Step verification.Finally you would be taken to the 2-Step Verification settings page.Review your settings and you will see that 2-Step Authentication is now ON.

Image — Turn ON 2-Step Verification

Congrats! we have enabled 2-Step verification..

You can also multiple verification methods (this is optional step).I would suggest to go for Authenticator app for added security.

Image — Setup Alternative second step

Step #6.Download and Install Authenticator app from Play store.

Image — Google Authenticator App

Step #7.Now return 2-Step verification page,choose ‘Authenticator app’ as second step.It can generate verification codes even when your phone is offline.

Image — Choose Google Authenticator app

Step #8.Next set of steps is for setting up Authenticator app.In the app, select ‘Setup Account’ and then choose ‘Scan a barcode’.

Image — Setup Authenticator app

Step #9.Once you scan bar code,verification code gets displayed on the Authenticator App.

Image — Scan Bar Code

Image — Authenticator setup complete

Next time you sign in, you’ll need to use verification code displayed on the Authenticator app.

For more information on 2-Step verification,check out here.

Originally published at @upnxtblog.