Privacy & Security 2 min. read

How to set up Facebook’s most important security feature — two factor authentication

How to set up Facebook’s most important security feature — two factor authentication

Every important online account that you have, including your Facebook account, should have two factor authentication set up. This ensures that your accounts cannot be accessed by the bad guys, even if your passwords have been exposed to those with ill intent. Facebook two factor authentication is the key to keeping your account secure, even if you suck at making passwords.

When you choose to use two factor authentication, you first must enter a password like normal. For the second, and most important, step, the site sends a special code to you, usually via your mobile phone. You must enter that code before you can access your account.

In other words, the only way to access your Facebook account, even if a hacker has your password, is to also have your phone. Which makes it pretty unlikely a hacker could ever break into your account and steal your sensitive data.

Two factor authentication on Facebook

In lieu of its recent privacy scandal, Facebook made some changes and it’s now far easier to set up Facebook two factor authentication. Typically, as with most other accounts, when you set up Facebook two factor authentication, you must put in your password. You will then get a text with a numerical code either on your app or through your mobile phone.

Facebook two factor authentication without phone number

Making the choice to use Facebook two factor authentication is important. But before these recent changes, Facebook required all users to give their phone number if they wanted to use 2FA. This meant, of course, that if you were not willing to give Facebook your number, you could not use two factor authentication. And a lot of people fell into this category, thus leaving many exposed.

Thanks to these new changes, you are no longer required by Facebook to use your phone number for two factor authentication. You can now use third-party apps, such as Google Authenticator, which will constantly generate a new code. This way, you can also access these codes even if you do not have a signal on your cell phone. Of course, if you want to use your phone number, you can certainly do that as well.

Facebook two factor authentication

Facebook has made it super simple to set up 2FA on your account. Simply log into your Facebook account via your computer or mobile app and select the “Security and Login” option. Then, choose “Use two-factor authentication” and follow Facebook’s step-by-step guide that will walk you through.

It’s as simple as that. Once complete, your account will be infinitely more secure — both from hackers or your buddy who has a habit of sneaking into your account on a night out and posting something inappropriate. We all have a friend like that, right?

Now that your Facebook account is secure, add two-factor authentication to your other accounts. And download Hotspot Shield VPN for free to keep your devices secure.

Download Hotspot Shield for FREE

Get the latest stories and tips from Hotspot Shield in your inbox