What is Google Account (Gmail Account) 2-Step Verification?
Many businesses use a security feature known as 2-Step Verification to improve device security.
When attempting to log in, this forces you to use a separate and trusted source. For example, if you log in for the first time on an unfamiliar device, Google will send a prompt to a trusted device associated with that account asking you to confirm your identity.
Even if someone has a login and password, this level of protection prohibits them from logging in. In that case, the function is also useful because it alerts the account holder that someone has attempted to log into their account without permission.
How To Enable 2-Step Verification
1. Head to your Google account security preferences. You can get there by going to your Google account, hitting your photo in the top right, and selecting “Manage your Google account.“
2. Head to the Security tab, either in a side-scrolling menu on the top of the screen or on the left-hand side in a menu.
3. In the “Signing in to Google” section, tap on 2-Step Verification.
4. Enter your password to confirm it’s you and hit Get Started on the next page where Google explains 2-Step Verification.
5. The next page shows you what devices you’ll be able to use to sign in. These are devices Google has deemed secure based on your login history. If the list looks right, hit Continue.
6. Verify your current phone number as a backup option then enter the code sent to you in order to verify that number.
7. Lastly, hit Turn On and you’re done! Google 2-Step verification has been set up.
