4920 Constellation Drive
White Bear Township, MN 55127-2218
help@chipscs.com | 651.407.8555
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As the series of massive Yahoo! data breaches demonstrate, having a strong password is not always sufficient. Cybercriminals can hack into companies’ databases and steal customers’ login information. If the password for your Google account is stolen, you could lose personal information, send unauthorized emails, and risk having other account passwords reset. For these reasons, Google encourages customers to set up two-step verification.
This security feature only needs to be enabled once to turn it on across the various Google services (e.g., Gmail, Google Drive). Once set up, you will be required to provide your username, your password, and a six-digit verification code in order to log in. Google sends you the code, which will be different each time you sign in. You can choose to receive the code via a text message, a phone call (mobile device or landline), or the Google Authenticator app for smartphones. You can even use a special security key to provide the code through your computer’s USB port.
To set up two-step verification for your Google account, follow these steps:
Once you have gone through this initial setup process, you can configure one or more alternative ways to receive codes. For example, you might provide a secondary phone number or install the Google Authenticator app. You are even able to generate and print backup verification codes that you can use if you are temporarily unable to get a verification code through your phone. Primary and secondary delivery mechanisms can be changed at any time.
If you are using your own device (and not a public computer) to sign in, you can tell Google to trust it by selecting the "Don’t ask again on this computer" option. That way, you do not have to enter a verification code each time you sign in from that device.
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About CHIPS Computer Services
CHIPS Computer Services is an award winning Managed Services Provider specializing in help businesses increase efficiencies and profits by levering properly managed technology. To learn how CHIPS can help your business, email us at sales@chipscs.com to schedule no cost business assessment.