One of the best ways to protect yourself online is also one of the simplest: setting up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your accounts.
What is MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, is a security step allowing users to verify their identity before accessing sensitive information.
Some examples of MFA include:
‘Biometric’ security, such as using your fingerprint, Face ID, or voice recognition.
Authenticator codes, which can be obtained from a third-party code generator app or physical token.
Two-factor PIN codes sent via email.
It’s much harder for bad actors to gain access to an account with MFA than it is to learn your password. This makes MFA a powerful security tool, and has been widely adopted by most online platforms and services (including Aussie).
You might’ve heard of Two-Factor Authentication, or 2FA, which is technically a form of MFA. However, they are different – 2FA only uses 2 authentication steps, while MFA uses 2 steps at a minimum.
If MFA isn’t available for an account, it’s best to make sure it has its own strong passphrase that isn’t used anywhere else. This way, if the worst happens and your password is compromised, it cannot be used to access any of your other online accounts.
You can learn to create a strong passphrase by clicking here.
Setting up MFA on your Facebook Account
First, head to yourTwo-factor authentication settings byclicking here. If the link didn’t work, you can follow these steps to navigate to these settings:
Click yourprofile picturein the top-right corner of the Facebook home page, then clickSettings & privacy, thenSettingsfrom the menu that shows after.
On the next page, clickonAccounts Centre on the left menu, then clickPassword and security.
Click Two-factor authentication.
This page will have a few options for you to set up MFA. You can set up more than one to further boost your account security. For this demonstration, we’ll be choosing theAuthentication app.
After clicking Authentication app, a QR image will be shown, as well as a code for manually setting up your MFA. Don’t share these with anyone! Using an authenticator app on your phone, such as Microsoft Authenticator, scan the QR code.
Once you’ve scanned the QR code and added it to your app, clickContinueon your computer. The next page will ask you to confirm a 6-digit code generated by your app.
Once you’ve successfully confirmed the newly generated code your Two-factor authentication is all set up!
When you next log in to Facebook on a new device, you’ll be asked to enter one of these codes before you can access your account.
We recommend further improving your account security by exploring the other Multi-Factor Authentication options and set up another method on top of the one you’ve just made.
Tap yourprofile picture(this may instead show as three horizontal lines ☰) in the bottom-right corner of the Facebook app (or top-right for Android phones), then tapSettings and Privacy, then tap Settings.
Tap on Accounts Centre.
Tap Password and security, then Two-factor authentication.
This page will have a few options for you to set up MFA. You can set up more than one to further boost your account security. For this demonstration, we’ll be choosing theAuthentication app.
After tapping this option, a QR image will be shown, as well as a code for manually setting up your MFA. Do not share these with anyone! Using an authenticator app on your phone, such as Microsoft Authenticator, scan this QR code.
If your authenticator is on the same device, tap the long string of letters and numbers under the QR image to copy it on your phone, then paste it into your chosen code-generating app.
Go back to the Facebook app and tapContinueonce you’ve added the code to your authenticator app. The next page will ask you to enter a6-digit codegenerated by your app.
Once you’ve successfully confirmed a newly generated code from the app, your two-factor authentication is all set up!
When you next log in to Facebook on a new device, you’ll be asked to enter one of these codes before you can access your account.
We recommend further improving your account security by exploring the other Multi-Factor Authentication options and set up another method on top of the one you’ve just made.
Setting up MFA on your Instagram Account
Go togoogle.comin a web browser and clickSign inon the top-right corner of the page.
Once you’re signed in, click your profile icon on the top-right corner of the page, then clickManage your Google Account. On the following page, click Security.You can jump there by clickingthis link.
Note: If you’re on a computer, this should be on the left side of the page. If you’re on a mobile or tablet, this tab shows at the top of the page above your profile icon.
Under the heading that reads “How you sign in to Google”, click or tap2-Step Verification, thenTurn on 2-Step Verificationon the following page.
On this page, read all the options available to you by selectingShow more options. For this guide, we are choosing to receive a code via text message.
Enter your phone number on this page and tap or clickNext. You should receive a SMS from Google stating“G-…… is your Google verification code.”Do not share this code with anyone!
Go back to your web browser and enter this code on the page you started setup on. ClickNextonce it’s been entered.
If you’ve entered the correct code, the next page should say “You’re now protected with 2-Step Verification”.
When you next log in to Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google website or app on a new device, you’ll be asked to enter one of these codes before you can access your account.
You can learn more about protecting yourself online or report a cybercrime by clicking here.
On this page, navigate to the Security heading and then click or tap Security dashboard. You can jump here by clicking this link.
Click or tap Get started under Advanced security options.
Under Two-step verification, choose Set up two-step verification to set up this feature.
On this page, read the instructions before selecting Next. The next step will let you choose from a few different options – for this guide we are selecting an app from the drop-down options.
After this step, select I want to use a different authenticator app if you’re using a different app to Microsoft Authenticator and follow the next steps.
An image of a QR code will display. If your authenticator app is on the same device, click or tap Can’t scan image? to reveal a Secret key. Scan the QR or copy and paste the Secret key into your authenticator app.
Once your Microsoft Account has been added to your authenticator app, go back to the Microsoft website, and click Next. You will be asked to enter a 6-digit code from your authenticator app to verify it’s been set up correctly.
Once you’ve confirmed the code on the Microsoft website in your browser, you’re all set up with their Two-step verification!
When you next log in to Outlook, Word, or any other Microsoft website or app on a new device, you’ll be asked to enter one of these codes before you can access your account.
Setting up MFA on your Google/Gmail Account
Go to google.com in a web browser and click Sign in on the top-right corner of the page.
Once you’re signed in, click your profile icon on the top-right corner of the page, then click Manage your Google Account. On the following page, click Security. You can jump there by clicking this link.
Note: If you’re on a computer, this should be on the left side of the page. If you’re on a mobile or tablet, this tab shows at the top of the page above your profile icon.
Under the heading that reads “How you sign in to Google”, click or tap 2-Step Verification, then Turn on 2-Step Verification on the following page.
On this page, read all the options available to you by selecting Show more options. For this guide, we are choosing to receive a code via text message.
Enter your phone number on this page and tap or click Next. You should receive a SMS from Google stating “G-…… is your Google verification code.” Do not share this code with anyone!
Go back to your web browser and enter this code on the page you started setup on. Click Next once it’s been entered.
If you’ve entered the correct code, the next page should say “You’re now protected with 2-Step Verification”.
When you next log in to Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google website or app on a new device, you’ll be asked to enter one of these codes before you can access your account.
You can learn more about protecting yourself online or report a cybercrime by clicking here.
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