Multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes it much harder for a hacker to gain access to your online content, and the most common form of consumer MFA is two-factor authentication (2FA).

*A widely recognized shape of 2FA is the debit card. One factor is the card itself, which contains magnetic identification information (a chip these days) and a PIN that you provide when you toss the thing into an ATM. It's easy and pretty good for making your cash accessible at ATMs.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

2FA is important for your online accounts, like email and iCloud accounts. While I have to admit that having to do something extra to access your account can be a bit annoying, it's a lot less painful than having your identity stolen, preventing you from accessing your email, Losing emails, or replying to your friends who are wondering why you've said such crazy things about them (unless, of course, you actually said those crazy Or, heaven forbid, someone posing as you at one of your registered game accounts).

This is how 2FA or two-factor authentication works for a few different online account types. (Note that these services change from time to time, so it's a good idea to keep up to date with such changes.)

**Google 2-step verification setup**👇👇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-DiXjk8-0w Video by How-to-videos

First, log in to your Gmail account with your username and password (choose smart passwords). There should be an avatar in a circle in the top left corner of the window. Maybe it is even an image of you. Click on it and you will see "My Account". (Changes every two years, by the way.)

In the new window that opens, click on "Login & Security".” Click 2-Step Verification, then click Get Started. Re-enter your username and password. Enter a phone number and click to receive a text or call Send a text or call with a six-digit verification code. Enter it and select the option to turn on 2-Step Verification. It's that simple. Ok, there are several steps, but not that complicated.

You may prefer to check your Gmail using another application, such as Outlook, rather than using a browser to view the Gmail - call up the page. for your mail. If this is the case, it's possible that after you turn on 2-Step Verification, your Outlook (or another app) is still telling you that you have the wrong password, even though you know full well it's correct. it happened to me. You will probably need an application-specific password from Google, which Google will generate for you. You need to go to the app passwords page.

Now let's set up 2FA on your account, taking iCloud as a standpoint

First, you must have a passcode set up on your iPhone or iPad.Click the Settings app. the device uses iOS 10..3. Click your name (or the name of the account you sign in with), then click Passwords & Security. Did I mention this will change as Apple keeps us on our toes by changing everything once we get acquainted with the previous version?

In the latest older version, you would have clicked Settings, then iCloud, then your name, then Password & Security. But I digress...Now tap "Enable two-factor authentication". Prepare to answer some security questions, which we will talk about in a future article, then enter the phone number where you want to receive the code for 2FA and select as before, whether you want a phone call or a text message.

Select the app you want (for Outlook, you would select "Mail"), then select the device you're using (Google magically presents a list of the devices you're using with its services). Then select "Generate". It will show you a 16-digit number in a yellow bar that you can use as a new password for this app (e.g. Outlook) on this device (do not enter spaces). You can save this password in your app and may need this number again later.

Yahoo!

Yahoo! is similar: Log in to your account, go to your account's security page, click on 2-step verification and there toggle the switch to enable it. Choose an option to receive a text message or call for verification. Enter the code you receive via SMS or call. At this point you can create an app password, similar to what Google did above for its various apps like Outlook or Apple (iOS) Mail.

Macintosh

On a Mac, open System Preferences, select iCloud, then select Account Details. You may need to sign in with your Apple credentials. If you will be asked to enter the phone number on which you want to receive calls or SMS to confirm it, again a magic robot will immediately send you the code and you must enter it in the field that follows your answer waiting. Once activated, you'll receive a message asking for permission whenever an unknown device or location logs into your account. Note that on a Mac, this notification can sometimes be in a window hidden behind another.

So look it up if you're having trouble approving the request. Speaking of hassles, it seems like a lot of work to have two-factor authentication, but once it's set up, it's no longer painful and will add significant security to your accounts as well as significant barriers to potential hackers. So do it!

Little and easy steps taken to avoid being hacked might be all you need, so!!! just do it

*Resources

https://authy.com/what-is-2fa/

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/two-factor-authentication

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/twofactor-authentication-2fa.asp

https://duo.com/product/multi-factor-authentication-mfa/two-factor-authentication-2fa

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-two-factor-authentication-2fa

https://www.ibm.com/topics/2fa

https://www.igeeksblog.com/best-two-factor-authentication-apps-for-iphone/