What if your GMail gets hacked ? You can lose a lot. Wired.com writer, Mat Honan, got several of his accounts hacked. It all started from his GMail account, when a hacker used GMail’s “forgot password” option. Mat thought that if he had used two-factor authentication for Gmail, it would have stopped there. Google calls it 2-step verification.
What is 2-step verification?
It is an added security to your GMail account. Once you enable it, it will require you to enter a verification code after entering your user name and password.
Why activate?
It decreases the chances of having your important information stolen.
Why?
Hackers don’t only need to get your username and password; they might have to steal your phone to get the verification code where it is sent.
How to activate?
- Log in to your GMail account.
- On the upper right, click your name or photo, then click account.
- On the navigation options on the left , click security.
- From the options, click edit button at the side of 2-step verification.
- It will then ask you to re-enter your password.
- Google will ask you to provide the phone number of the device you have chosen.
- Landline and mobile phone number will do, as Google will send the code through text or voice call.
- Once you click proceed, you will then receive a text message shortly.
- Enter the code you received into the web page and click continue.
- Lastly, it will ask you to confirm “trust this computer”.
Common questions gathered:
- What if I lose my registered phone?
- What if the hacker is actually domestic and has access to my phone? (Looks like a domestic issue after all. ) 😀
Leave more questions or answers. If there are other risks that may arise when enabling 2-step verification, please share and let us know.
More info: http://support.google.com/accounts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=180744
[subscribe2]
Works at iBizLeverage Web Services, Internet/website marketing company in Cebu Philippines, for SMBs (small- and medium-scale businesses).
