The Amazing Power Of Two- Two Factor Authentication For Email

The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate or conduct business, today. This powerful tool is both a boon and a bane, if not handled properly. On one hand, it allows us to smartly and efficiently conduct our transactions, on the other, people use it to steal important information and spread malice. Subsequently, the need to protect the personal and professional data floating on the Web becomes highly essential. To battle cyber crimes, security companies today have devised a robust protection, called- Two Factor Authentication (2FA). This technology adds an extra layer of protection to individual and company e-mails and applications.   

What is 2FA?

Two Factor Authentication involves multiple layers of security to gain access to your account and keep the hacker’s away from stealing your data. Two Factor Authentication for email involves feeding in 2 or 3 3 types of credentials post providing the username and password to gain an access. These credentials can be your phone number, a PIN, or a security question. In some cases it can be your Finger or Voice print.

Such levels of multiple authentication only strengthens the previous single-factor authentication; wherein we gained access to our accounts on any machine via username and password. With 2FA method, we can be sure of a secure interaction with the machine and protect our account from hackers in a better way.

Two factor authentication for E-mail

Due to its reliability and stronger protection to the account holders, several e-mail operators are using 2FA today.

Google: Each time a user logs into a new machine to access their Gmail account, Google sends a 6-digit code through text message, which needs to be entered along with the username and password. Similarly, the Google Authenticator app works robustly for Android, iOS, and BlackBerry. LastPass uses the Google Authenticator app for Android, iOS, and BlackBerry.

Apple: When an Apple owner logs in from a new machine, Apple sends a 4-digit code through a text message or ‘Find My iPhone notifications.’    

Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, PayPal, Yahoo! Mail and LinkedIn all these social and business applications and e-mails send 6-digit codes through text message, when a user attempts to log in from a new machine. Facebook’s  2FA is called “Login Approvals”. Facebook also works with ‘Google Authenticator’ apps for Android, iOS, and BlackBerry just like DreamHost, Evernote, WordPress & Amazon Web Services do. 

Steam & Microsoft Accounts send 5-digit and 7-digit codes, respectively through e-mail while logging in from a new machine.

Two Factor Authentication for Applications

Authy is one of the top-notch 2FA apps that can be at ease installed in several devices, but it experiences toughest competition by Google Authenticator as this is the very app that started this.  FreeOTP & Toopher are other popular ones.

Regardless of your Internet use, you should get two factor authentication Solution technology to your e-mail accounts and applications to maintain your confidentiality against hackers.