There is a lot of advice on how to create a secure password. Make it at least sixteen characters long. Use a mix of letters, numbers and special symbols. Change it regularly. Enough to make you give up on technology completely.
While it’s still a good idea to create the most secure password possible, you can take some of the pressure off your password-creation skills by using two-factor authentication (2FA). Apps like Instagram make it easy to double your security.
What is 2FA?
Multi-factor authentication operates on the principle that a robust security gateway must include at least two of the following factors.
- Something the user knows – This is the information factor. Think password, PIN or security question.
- Something the user has – This is the ownership factor. Consider a debit card or phone.
- something the user is – This is the heredity factor. Consider fingerprint or voice recognition.
The idea is that hackers who might have the tools to decrypt your password won’t be able to get past the second layer of security.
Why Doesn’t Everyone Do It?
Well, for pretty much the same reason everyone remembers their browser’s passwords. The average person has dozens of accounts and doesn’t want to take the time to log into any of them. Why would they want to take extra time to go through a two-step authentication process?
Even people who take the extra time for their bank account tend to do it for Facebook or Instagram. But the truth is that all of your accounts are important in their own way. If a hacker gains access to your Instagram account, they can do a fair amount of damage. It’s time to get serious about protecting your information.
How to Open Instagram 2FA
Let’s preface this by saying that Instagram is designed to keep you connected. You probably don’t log in every time you want to share a picture, and Instagram seems to prefer this way with features like account switching. 2FA for Instagram isn’t designed for you as much as it’s aimed at blocking others.
Let’s start now.
- Open the application.
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the settings icon.
- Scroll down and tap Two-Factor Authentication.
- hungry Require Security Code.
- Enter the confirmation code sent to your phone.
- Faucet Completed.
- Choose to take a screenshot of the backup codes. These are saved on your camera roll and only in case you don’t get a text.
Now, every time you log into your account, a security code will be sent to you. We know what you’re thinking. What does it matter if you have 2FA turned on if you’re always logged in? And if you’re not, it doesn’t matter because anyone accessing Instagram from your phone will get the same code as you.
Realistically, you should never realize that 2FA is turned on. However, if someone on a different device tries to log into your account and somehow manages to crack your password, a surprise awaits them.
