Cybersecurity Blog

How to enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account – 03/26/19

 

With the latest news of Facebook storing unhashed passwords in clear view of their employees, now is a great time to enable two-factor authentication. Doing so will keep your Facebook account secure even if one of their employees decide to have a little fun at your expense.  As with the two-step verification that Google uses, you are only required to enter the security code if you are logging into an unknown device.

To enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account:
  1. Login to Facebook.
  2. Click the down arrow on the menu bar. A list drops down.
  3. Select Settings. The General Account Settings appear.
  4. From the menu on the left, select Security and Login. The Security and Login page appears.
  5. Click Use two-factor authentication. The Two-Factor Authentication page appears.
  6. Click the Get Started button. A dialog box appears.
  7. Select how you want authenticate your login, with a text message or an authenticator app.
  8. Click the Next button. You will either be asked to enter a phone number or set up the authenticator app.
  9. Click the Next button. A code is texted to your phone or a prompt appears on your phone.
  10. Enter the code into the text box or tap on the prompt on your phone.
  11. Click the Next button. A notification dialog box appears.
  12. Click Finish.

Once it is enabled, it is a good idea to print off recovery codes or select another backup option in case you loose your phone or it is stolen.

 

2 thoughts on “How to enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account – 03/26/19

  1. I agree that using an authentication app or key is always a better solution than using your phone number. However using your phone number is a lesser evil that not enabling it at all.

    I also agree that if privacy is a concern for you, deleting your Facebook account is a good choice.

    In today’s day and age, we must constantly weight the pros and cons when using technology and determine what is acceptable and what is not. The important thing is to take the time to do the analysis.

  2. As per the following article, it is recommended using a third-party authenticator app as opposed to providing your phone number:

    https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/04/facebook-2fa-phone-number/

    Better yet, you may want to delete Facebook altogether given their history of privacy violations. Recently WhatsApp co-founder is urging users to delete their Facebook accounts again: https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/17/18269515/whatsapp-co-founder-brian-acton-urged-users-to-delete-their-faceboo

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