How-To

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Guide: How to Secure Your Online Life

By Brian Burgess

Updated October 13, 2023

Two Factor Authentication is a vital layer of security you need to enable on all of your online accounts that offer it and we have a list that shows how.

Two Factor Authentication is currently the best way to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts for services like Google, Facebook, Twitter, LastPass, Dropbox, and many others.

We are always preaching the benefits and necessity for you to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for the past couple of years since it was introduced as a better security option. Here, in this guide, we have links to show you step-by-step on how to enable 2FA on some of the most popular online services.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts and makes them much harder to hack. It requires more than just a simple username and password. You and the service have two different means of verifying your identity. In fact, you’ve been using 2FA each time you go to the ATM. You must have your card and the correct PIN number for your account to get the cash.

Usually, it involves sending a unique code sent to your smartphone that you enter along with your password. Or you can generate an individual code, using your phone using apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft’s Authenticator app.

It’s also done using something you have like a special USB key with a unique token or using biometric data from an iris scan or fingerprint. But the average user will use the methods we list below.

2FA is called different names by services out there. It can be called Multi-factor Authentication, 2-Step Verification, or something similar. No matter what a company calls it, the fact remains, it adds an extra layer of security to your account that makes it much harder for the bad guys to break into your online accounts.

Guide for Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

Click any of the links below to learn how to set up 2FA on your online accounts.

The table and updated list above are just the beginning. We’ll continue to bring you articles on how to enable 2FA on other sites as it becomes available. And remember, if a service you use doesn’t offer 2FA or even if you are using it — that doesn’t negate the importance of creating strong and secure passwords.