What is Two-Step Authentication & Google App Password and Why Do We Need It?
One of the easiest ways for any cyber-criminals and hackers to get into your account or website by using your login credentials. As we know that, most of the website offers a typical 1 step login process. The 1 step login allows a user to enter a username and password only in order to enter your account or website.
The big loophole of 1 Step authentication is that, if anyone that has your username and password or anyone who hacked your login credentials, then it is far easy for him/her to enter your account. Because the account does not care, the person who enters the username and password is the account holder or someone else.
So. if you want to secure your Google account and data from hackers, then stay with us in order to understand the 2-step authentication of Google account.
What is Two-Step Authentication of Google Account and How it works?
As we said above, your Google account does not know who entering the username and password. Google account only see the username and password is matching with your account or not. So, to overcome this scenario Google introduces a feature called 2-step authentication. It adds another layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
Two-factor authentication is another name of two-step authentication. It gives extra protection to your Google account in order to login to your account. It authenticates the user of that Google account is the right person or not.
The authentication process of this feature is first, you have to enter your username and password as normal. However, instead of instantly having access to your account, you then receive an OTP to your register mobile number that you have to enter as a second step of verification. After that, you will able to access your Google account
If you sign-in on the same computer then you will only have to use 2-step verification if you sign out and back in. But if anyone uses your login on another system, then he/she have to use 2-step authentication to verify itself.
Steps to Enable Two-Step Authentication
If you want to allow 2-step authentication into your Google account, then follow the steps listed below:
Step 1: First, go to your Google Account.
Step 2: Now, choose security from the left navigation panel.
Step 3: On the Signing into Google panel, click on 2 Step Verification
Step 4: Now, click on Get started.
Step 5: After that, enter your password.
Step 6: Click on Try it Now.
Step 7: After that, verify your mobile number >> Next
Step 8: At last click on Turn On
That’s all now your account is protected with two-step authentication.
Note: Let suppose, you have to give permission of your Google account to third-party software. But your phone is off or your mobile is not with you at that specific time. In that case you are not able to receive OTP, then it is impossible to give permission to that software or application.
What is App Password and How it Works?
To overcome the above situation, Google gives another feature i.e. App Password. This is the 16 digit passcode that gives non-Google app or device permission to access your Google Account. This feature only appears and can only be used with an account that has 2 Step Verification turned on. App Password may work, when you use 2 Step Verification and you see “password incorrect” error while trying to access your Google account.
When to Use Google App Password?
App Password is used to keep your Google account secure. If a third-party App does not provide “Sign in with Google” option, then you can use “App Password” to connect that Application with your Google account. Moreover, you can use this feature to switch to a more secure App.
Steps to create and use Google App Password
Step 1: First, go to your Google Account.
Step 2: Now, choose the Security option.
Step 3: On the “Signing to Google” panel select App Password
Step 4: Now, select app and choose the app you are using.
Step 5: After that, select device.
Step 6: Now, choose Generate.
Step 7: After following all the instruction you will see 16 digit code in the yellow bar on your device >> Done.
Conclusion
As we said above 2 step verification is hard to breach but it’s not impossible. Hence, If you want to protect your Google account data then its better to secure your Gmail account by taking it’s backup. The best method to take backup is by using professional tool like Gmail backup Software. Now, it’s depends upon you whether you are comfortable with additional security layer only or wish to have a backup copy of your Gmail data also.
