With so much of our lives taking place on mobile devices and laptops, it has become critical to consider strengthening the online security of your accounts and devices. Individuals are increasingly being targeted by malicious and fraudulent attacks. And it doesn’t appear that they’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

With the rise of threats, there has also been an increase in the security measures and features that many businesses used to safeguard themselves and their clients. Two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, is one such feature that adds a layer of security to user accounts.

According to Duo Labs, 79% of those polled said they use two-factor authentication on their devices, a significant increase from 28% in 2017. This goes to show that this security measure is rapidly gaining in popularity, and for good reason.

In this article, we’ll define two-factor authentication, explain why it’s vital, and show you how to set it up.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication, or 2-step verification, is a type of multi-factor authentication that provides additional security for your iPhone. It ensures that you are the only person who can access your account, regardless if someone stole your password.

Many companies use this method, but Apple has used it perfectly to secure your iPhone devices from intruders and hackers.

Why is 2FA Important?

Implementing two-factor authentication is always worthwhile. And neglecting to do so can lead to privacy concerns. Smart home users, for example, have had their devices hacked and spied on because they did not use a secure password or enable two-factor authentication.

If someone steals your password and tries to access your iPhone, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they won’t be able to do so unless they also have your phone. If they do, it will be locked and protected behind a password, pattern, or fingerprint.

And as a business, when your users use 2FA, it will enhance your company’s overall security because your employees will be required to identify themselves with more than just their login credentials. Not that login credentials are not important, but they are easy to hack by third parties.

To further increase security, you can change some settings in Android and iOS that allow you to prevent notifications from appearing on a lock screen. 

How Does Two-Factor Authentication Work？

When you first sign in to a new device, you must enter your password and the verification code. You can find the latter on your trusted devices or emailed to you. When you use it, you indicate that you trust the new device and will keep your account active there.

Once you sign in, you will not need to enter a verification code on that device again except in the following cases:

• Signing out from your account
• Restoring your phone to factory settings
• Changing your password

Also, when you sign in on a computer, you have the option of trusting the browser you use. This means you won’t need a verification code the next time you sign in. 

For example, if you have an iPhone and you log into your account for the first time on a new Mac Pro, you’ll be requested to enter your password as well as the verification number that appears on your iPhone.

With Apple, once you’ve authenticated on one device, you can use it to authenticate on others. You can also sign in to Apple services via the web. This is called Apple’s chain of trust. Your authentication has a snowball effect, and the more Apple devices you own, the stronger this chain becomes.

And you’re not limited to Apple’s built-in authentication feature, either. You can use one of the many authentication apps available. They may do things a bit differently, but they all follow the same basic principle of adding an extra layer of protection. 

Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Your iPhone

Setting up 2-step verification on your iPhone Apple ID is simple and won’t take long. Take the following steps:

1. Navigate to the Settings menu, then to Password & Security.
2. Select Turn On Two Factor Authentication.
3. Press the Continue button.
4. Enter the phone number to which you want verification codes sent when you sign in. You have the option of receiving the codes via text message or automated phone call.
5. Select Next.
6. Finally, input the verification code to confirm your phone number and enable two-factor authentication.

That’s all there is to it. You can now enjoy enhanced security on your iPhone. We recommend that you keep the list of trusted phone numbers up to date and that you physically secure your devices.

Use Textr to Manage Your Team Safely

Now that you’ve secured your iPhone against attacks, it’s time to use it to grow your business and connect with your team, no matter where they are! Whether you are a startup, a freelancer, or a small business, Textr allows you to collaborate with your team on a single platform.

Textr allows you to answer customer calls from any device by porting your business phone number. With this feature, you can bring your team on board and never miss a business inquiry again with business texting.

Additionally, you can set up multiple numbers for your business and share identities with your staff for smoother operations. Even better, you can install it on multiple devices and send everything from your web browser.

Textr provides a free tool for sending text messages to any mobile or wireless phone number in the United States and Canada.

Finally, with unlimited calls, customer tagging, SMS campaigns, and endless other features, Textr is worthy of your investment and consideration. Try it out today!