Download an authentication app before you leave home
During the pandemic lockdown, social media companies dramatically increased the two-factor authentication on accounts.
This is good for account security reasons, but it also means that a lot of social media accounts are now tied to a domestic mobile phone number or cell phone number for authenticating an account login.
Changing SIM cards overseas
As the world begins to open-up for international travellers it means thar they’re struggling to access 2-factor code-generated numbers that are being sent to them for social account logins. This is because a lot of people are swapping their phone SIM cards for a new SIM card at their holiday location and the text message, with two-factor logins, are being sent to the mobile phone SIM card back in their home country.
The uptake in two-factor security on social media accounts between 2022 and 2022 has been huge. And it is recommended that travellers download a two-factor authenticator app on their mobile phones before leaving their home country.
Authenticator apps
An authenticator app generates a new 6 to 8 digit code every 30 seconds. The code can be used for signing-in to social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and other online platforms. Google says its authenticator can protect accounts from all hacking attempts.
Before I departed Australia for an overseas holiday in Thailand, I attached an authenticator app to my social accounts. It was very simple to do.
The most popular authenticator app is the Google Authenticator app — and this is because a lot of people already use Google products like Google.com, gmail.com and YouTube.com. Google Authenticator has been downloaded more than 100 million times.
The other popular app is the Microsoft Authenticator app , downloaded 50 million times — and this is because their office might be using Microsoft products in the workplace. These two products offer excellent security for logging into your accounts.
How to attach an authenticator app to Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin
- Download either the Google Authenticator app or the Microsoft Authenticator app
- Log into your social media account on a desktop or laptop
- Go to your social media accounts settings — and follow the path to your privacy and security
- To attach your authenticator app to your Facebook account on a desktop, follow this path: Settings and Privacy / Settings / Security and Login / Two-factor authentication / Use two-factor authentication / Switch ‘on’ / Attach your authenticator app via a generated number on the Google Authenticator app / Insert the 6 to 8 digit code from your app / Follow the simple QR code instructions to pair your authenticator app with your Facebook account — you will need to use the plus + icon on your authenticator app
- To attach your authenticator app to your Instagram account on a desktop/laptop, follow this path: Settings / Privacy and Security / Two-Factor Authentication / Insert the 6 to 8 digit code from your app / Follow the simple QR code instructions to pair your authenticator app with your Instagram account — you will need to use the plus + icon on your authenticator app
- To attach your authenticator app to your Twitter account on a desktop/laptop, follow this path: Settings and Privacy / Security and account access / Security / Two-factor authentication / Authentication app / Follow the simple QR code instructions to pair your authenticator app with your Twitter account — you will need to use the plus + icon on your authenticator app
- To attach your authenticator app to your Linkedin account on a desktop/laptop, follow this path: Settings / Sign in and security / Two-step verification / Turn ‘on’ / Via Authenticator app / Follow the simple QR code instructions to pair your authenticator app with your Linkedin account — you will need to use the plus + icon on your authenticator app
Authenticator apps are the best way to thwart hacking attempts and to help you enjoy an overseas holiday.
Hopefully you found this information useful. Enjoy authenticating!
#TwoFactor #AuthenticationApp #OnlineSecurity
