In our increasingly digital world, protecting our online accounts has become more crucial than ever. Enter two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short—your digital guardian angel in the fight against cybercrime. Let's dive into what 2FA is, why it’s so important, and why you need to set it up today.
2FA is a multi-factor authentication process. It's like adding a deadbolt to your digital front door. While a password is your first layer of defense, 2FA adds a second, ensuring that even if someone steals your password, they still can’t get in.
2FA requires two forms of identification to access your account—hence, “two-factor.” It’s designed to verify your identity through something you know (your password) and something you have or are (like a one-time code or a fingerprint). Unlike passwords that can be reused, 2FA codes are single-use, generated each time you log in.
The process is like getting into a high-security event. Imagine needing both an ID and a unique ticket to get in. With 2FA, you’re essentially showing proof of identity twice.
Once you enable 2FA, here’s what happens when you log in:
Only after providing both factors are you granted access to your account. It’s like having a bouncer who not only checks your ID but also makes sure you’re on the VIP list!
In today's digital landscape, relying on passwords alone is like leaving your house key under the doormat—convenient but not very secure. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and relying solely on passwords is no longer enough. Here’s why 2FA is a game-changer:
Still not convinced? Here are some compelling reasons to enable 2FA right now:
1) In your portal, navigate to Settings > Login Options
2) Click Set up next to two-step authentication.
3) Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code displayed in the popup. This will add a new account to your authenticator named Practice Better with your PB email address displayed, e.g. Practice Better ([email protected])
4) Enter the 6-digit verification token generated by the authenticator app into the popup to complete the 2FA setup.
After setting up your 2FA, you will be prompted to download a list of one-time use backup codes. Download and print these codes and store them securely; they can be used if you are unable to provide a verification code from an authenticator app.
A backup code can be used by selecting Use backup code on the two-factor authentication screen.
You can view your current list of backup codes on your Settings > Login Options page. Click the More Options menu (3 dots) and select Get backup codes from the options provided. You can also regenerate a new list of backup codes from the same menu.
By default, you'll be prompted to enter a 2FA verification token every time you sign in to your portal. Optionally, you can choose to trust your device and skip 2FA verification for 30 days. The 2FA verification prompt will only be skipped when using the browser (e.g. Chrome) on the device you enabled trust for.
Enable the trust option on the 2FA verification screen and then enter a valid token from your authenticator app to continue:
You can delete the list of trusted devices from the 2FA More Options menu on the Login Options page.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully set up 2FA, making it much harder for anyone to access your account without your permission.