Tech Break

Apr 17th 2017

Tech Break 3926

Multi-Factor Authentication

MFA is a way to secure your online accounts that get's us closer to the "perfect perfection".

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Category: TWiT Bits
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a way to secure your online accounts that get's us closer to the "perfect perfection". * Something you know * Something you have * Something you ARE A username and password is only "Something you know" - so it's a single factor authentication Something you ARE is something like fingerprints, retinal scan or facial recognition. We're adding a mobile-based verification to our Google account so it's "Something you Have" Steps: 1. Log into Google.com with your account 2. Go into "My Account" 3. Under "Sign-in & Security", click "Signing into Google" Before continuing, this is a good time to set your "recovery email" & "recovery phone" to accounts that are NOT served by your Google account. * In other words, once you enable 2-Factor authentication, you will require a verification to enter your Google-connected resources. If you setup to send that verification to a Google-connected resource, you won't be able to access the account to get the verification without first verifying the account. 4. Under "Password & sign-in method" click "2-Step Verification" 5. Click "Get Started" (you'll have to sign-in) 6. Enter the phone number of the mobile that will receive your verification codes 7. Enter the code you just received on your phone. ** You are now setup to use 2-Factor Authentication for ALL your Google-connected resources. Anytime you want to access a Google-connected resource from a NEW browser/computer/device/location, you WILL be required to have a verification code that is sent to your device. Bonus Features! There are several features available in Google MFA that you really should use. 1. Backup Codes * If you've ever worried about being able to access your account after you lose your device or if you're out of connection range, this is for you. * This will give you a set of 10 one-time use verification codes. * EACH TIME you press "Get New Codes", it will eliminate the old codes from the authentication list * You can download them to a thumb drive/laptop or print and keep in your wallet. 2. The Authenticator * This is an app you can download to your Android or iPhone that will give you verification codes even when your phone is offline. 3. Backup Phone 4. Security Key * A Security key is a device (usually USB) that acts as your second-factor w/o you needing to type anything in. * You MUST have the device in order to sign in. Pro Tip: * Every once in a while, revoke access from ALL trusted devices. This will require you to MFA for all your devices, but it "clears the table" of any devices you may have authenticated and forgotten.

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