With a huge increase in email accounts getting hacked, you need more than just a strong password to protect them. Fortunately for Gmail users, Google provides a “2-step verification” that will tell you by either sending a text message to your registered cell phone if someone tries to gain access to your email. This feature has been out for a while but many people are still not aware about it.
Google 2-Step Verification is actually very easy to setup and doesn’t take too much of your time, you just need to link your Gmail account to your cell phone. Just follow these steps below to activate it:
1. Login to your Gmail and on the top right-hand corner, click on the little arrow next to your name and select Account link.
2. On the Accounts page, click on Security.
Accounts Tab
3. You will see your 2-step verification status. Click on the Edit button.
Security Tab
4. And you will see the splash screen to Start the setup. Click on the blue Start setup » button.
Start Setup Screen
5. Enter your cell phone number in the textbox and click on Send code button. You will receive a 6-digit verification code within a few minutes. If you’re outside the U.S., make sure you select your country of residence by clicking on the drop-down arrow next to the flag icon in the same textbox with the phone number.
Setup Phone Screen
6. Enter the code you receive from your cell phone into the Enter verification code box and click Verify.
Verify Phone Number
7. You can either check the Trust this computer box or not. Since I’m using a home computer, I want to trust my computer. Don’t check it if you login from a public or shared computer. Click Next » button.
Trust this Computer
8. Once you click Confirm button, your 2-step verification should be activated now.
You will see a notice 2-step verification has been turned on for this account on the top part of your Gmail screen. You should also receive an email confirmation about your 2-step verification.
Please remember, virtually there is nothing that cannot be hacked, but at the very least by activating this verification, your Google account should be more secure than if it was only protected by a password.
