Earlier I have described how to enable two factor authentication for your Twitter and Apple accounts, today I will tackle Facebook.

We are hearing about more and more online accounts being hacked almost daily.  Setting up a strong password for each account you have is a good first step, but also one that is an inconvenience, so it is often neglected.   Enabling two factor authentication adds another layer between other people and your data.  After enabling this, your account is restricted only to people who have your password and have access to your second level of authentication, which can be in the form of a text message, an email or even a paired app on your smartphone.

Enabling two step authentication for Facebook requires you to log into your account on your pc and then select Security under the Settings screen.

From there click Edit for Login Approvals.

Facebook Security Settings

 

 

 

 

Check the box for “Require a security code to access my account from unknown browsers”

Facebook Login Approval

 

 

Click Get Started

Get Started

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then Continue

 

 

 

 

Alternate Security

 

If you have a mobile phone associated with your account you will be texted a security code, if not you will be asked to add your mobile phone now.

Enter that code into the box and hit continue.

If you entered the correct code, you are done.  I suggest allowing the option to turn off Login Approvals without a security code for the first week in case you aren’t comfortable with this.

Complete

 

 

 

The next time you log in from a computer that you haven’t before you will get prompted to enter your security code.

Security Code

 

 

 

Also, if you receive a text message on your phone with a security code and you didn’t just log into Facebook, you will know someone else has your password!

 

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