You should set up 2-step verification because doing so makes it very hard for anyone to take over your email account remotely. Without setting up 2-step verification, hackers could get into your account if they figured out your password. With 2-step verification enabled, they would need the password and physical control of your phone, your wallet or purse, or your actual computer. Here's why this matters: In most cases you would have no way of knowing whether someone somewhere else in the world had cracked your password and was rummaging through your account. This lets you know. Show
How do I turn on 2-Step Verification?When you enable 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication), you add an extra layer of security to your account. You sign in with something you know (your password) and something you have (like a code sent to your phone). To set up 2-Step Verification:
Once you're finished, you'll be taken to the 2-Step Verification settings page. Review your settings and add backup phone numbers. The next time you sign in, you'll receive a message with a verification code. You also have the option of using a Security Key for 2-Step Verification or a variety of other alternative second steps. We recommend you choose at least one alternative option. How do I sign in with 2-Step Verification?Signing in with 2-Step Verification is easy.
Alternate MethodsWhat if I don’t want to use my phone?Don’t want to use your phone? No problem. You’ll need a phone to set up 2-Step Verification at first, but you can then immediately change your second step. Here are some alternatives: What is a security key? How do I use it?A security key (also called a fob, or USB key), is a Fido U2F certified, read-only device that looks like a USB flash drive. When plugged in to your USB drive, it will generate a code for you, instead of you entering a code manually. Any device that is Fido U2F certified can be used with Google 2-Step Verification. Click here for more information on the IS-preferred security key, YubiKey. Are there limitations with security keys?Yes, there are a few limitations to U2F security keys. They are:
Can I use Google Voice to receive codes?Using Google Voice is not recommended. If you use Google Voice to receive verification codes, you can easily create a situation where you’ve locked yourself out of your account. For example, if you are signed out of your Google Voice app, you might need a verification code to get back in. However, you won’t be able to receive this verification code because it will be sent to your Google Voice, which you can’t access. TroubleshootingWhat if my phone was lost or stolen?If your phone was lost or stolen, we strongly recommend that you change your WFU Google Account password and revoke your App Passwords. This will help prevent others from accessing your WFU Google Account from your phone. Learn more here. What if I get a new phone after I’ve set up Google 2-Step Verification?No problem. Follow these instructions. My Google Authenticator codes aren’t working (Android). What do I do?This might be because the time on your Google Authenticator app is not synced correctly. To make sure that you have the correct time:
On the next screen, the app will confirm that the time has been synced, and you should now be able to use your verification codes to sign in. The sync will only affect the internal time of your Google Authenticator app, and will not change your device’s Date & Time settings. I’m stuck and I need backup codes! Help!If you are affiliated with Wake Forest University and none of your 2-Step options are working, you can call the Information Systems Service Desk Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm or visit us at The Bridge located on the main floor of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library, and we’ll provide you with a backup code. Please note, you will be required to answer security questions in order for us to provide you with this information. What do I do if I’ve lost my backup codes, and want to revoke them?If you lost the print-out of your backup codes, you can revoke them on your settings page. In the Backup codes section click Show codes, then click Get new codes. This will invalidate the previous set of backup codes and generate a new set. I turned on 2-Step Verification and an app on my phone or computer stopped working. What now?When you turn on 2-Step Verification, any apps that need access to your WFU Google Account will stop working until you enter an App Password in place of your normal password. Common applications and devices that require an App Password include:
Note: If you're running the latest operating system on your iPhone/iPad or Mac computer, you will no longer have to use App passwords to use 2-Step Verification. You do not need to memorize App Passwords because every App Password is only used once. You can generate a new App Password whenever you’re asked for one--even for a device or application you’ve authorized before. Why does Google ask for verification every time I log in, even though I checked the box to ask every 30 days?You most likely need to enable cookies in your browser, or your browser is set to automatically clear it's cache on exit. Yes No See also What is Google Page Experience Update for Desktop? (2022)
If you have non-Microsoft accounts, such as for Google, Facebook, or GitHub, you can add them to the Microsoft Authenticator app for two-step verification. The Microsoft Authenticator app works with any app that uses two-step verification and any account that supports the Time-based One-time Password (TOTP) standards. Important: Before you can add your account, you have to download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app. If you haven't done that yet, follow the steps in the Download and install the app article. Generally, for all your personal accounts, you must:
If this is the first time you're setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app, you might receive a prompt asking whether to allow the app to access your camera (iOS) or to allow the app to take pictures and record video (Android). Allow the app to use the camera so that you can take a picture of a QR code in one step. If you don't allow the camera, you can still add the code manually as described in Manually add an account to the app. In this article, we're providing the process for your Facebook, Google, GitHub, and Amazon accounts, but the process is the same for other apps, such as Instagram and Adobe. Add your Google account by turning on two-step verification and then adding the account to the app.
Add your Facebook account by turning on two-step verification and then adding the account to the app.
Add your GitHub account by turning on two-step verification and then adding the account to the app.
Add your Amazon account by turning on two-step verification and then adding the account to the app.
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