How to Enable Two-Step Verification in WhatsApp, Instagram And Facebook

Two-factor authentication (2FA), sometimes referred to as two-step verification or dual-factor authentication, is a security process in which users provide two different authentication factors to verify themselves. This process is done to better protect both the user's credentials and the resources the user can access.

 

2FA In Facebook

Two-factor authentication is a security feature that helps protect your Facebook account in addition to your password. If you set up two-factor authentication, you'll be asked to enter a special login code or confirm your login attempt each time someone tries accessing Facebook from a browser or mobile device we don't recognize. You can also get alerts when someone tries logging in from a browser or mobile device we don't recognize.

To turn on or manage two-factor authentication:

·         Go to your Security and Login Settings.

·         Scroll down to Use two-factor authentication and click Edit.

·         Choose the security method you want to add and follow the on-screen instructions.

When you set up two-factor authentication on Facebook, you’ll be asked to choose one of two security methods:

·         Login codes from a third party authentication app.

·         Text message (SMS) codes from your mobile phone.

You'll need to have at least one of these set up in order to use two-factor authentication. Once you have added either text message (SMS) codes or a third party authentication app on your account, you'll also be able to set up some of the optional methods below:

·         Approving your login attempt from a device we recognize.

·         Using one of your recovery codes.

·         Tapping your security key on a compatible device.

 

2FA In WhatsApp

Two-step verification is an optional feature that adds more security to your account. When you have two-step verification enabled, any attempt to verify your phone number on WhatsApp must be accompanied by the six-digit PIN that you created using this feature.

To enable two-step verification, open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.

Enter your custom PIN > Re-enter your custom PIN > Tap Next > Enter your email address.

 Upon enabling this feature, you can also optionally enter your email address. This email address will allow WhatsApp to send you a link via email to disable two-step verification in case you ever forget your six-digit PIN, and also to help safeguard your account. 

We do not verify this email address to confirm its accuracy. We highly recommend you provide an accurate email address so that you're not locked out of your account if you forget your PIN.

 

2FA In Instagram

If you use a third-party authentication app (such as Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator), you can set up two-factor authentication manually for your Instagram account which will generate a key you can use to set up two-factor authentication for each of your devices. Your Instagram key can also be used if you use multiple authentication apps on the same device.

To set up two-factor authentication manually: 

·         Go to your profile and tap , then tap Settings.

·         Tap Security and then scroll down and tap Two-Factor Authentication.

·         Tap  next to Authentication App, then tap Set Up Manually. If you don't see the toggle switch, tap Get Started.

·         Tap Copy Key below the Instagram key and paste it into your authentication app (example: Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator).

Note: You should copy the key code to your clipboard, take a screenshot, or save it in some other way since you won't be able to access the code again once you've finished setting up.

After your Instagram account is linked to your authentication app, copy the 6-digit code your authentication app creates.

Go back to the Instagram app, tap Next and paste the 6-digit code to complete the process on that device.

After you've set up two-factor authentication on the first device, you'll be able to send the Instagram key to your other devices and set up two-factor authentication from there. 

For Multiple Devices

You'll only need to complete the entire process of setting up two-factor authentication on your first device. For all other devices, you'll be able to paste the Instagram key generated from your first device into the authentication app on each additional device and link your Instagram account to it. 

Keep in mind that your IG key is separate from a one-time code generated through your authentication app:

IG key: Your IG key is a code that's generated when you manually set up two-factor authentication on a device and can be used to set up two-factor authentication across multiple devices.

One-time code: This is a 6-digit security code you can use for verification.

Recovery code: This is a code you can use as a backup if you can't access your 6-digit code generated by your authentication app.