Late last month we reported that Twitter was supposedly testing a two factor authentication system to improve account security. In the past couple of months we have seen a few high profile accounts being hacked, Twitter warned that the attacks will continue, and they sure did. Today they’ve finally unveiled this new two factor authentication which they call “login verification.” It is quite similar to how Google’s two factor authentication works, the user logs in to their account and are then sent a six digit code by Twitter via SMS, it is only upon entering this code that access is granted.
Even with login verification enabled, all existing applications will work without disruption. If the user needs to sign in on any other devices or apps, they’ll need to generate a temporary password from the applications page so that the particular device or app is authorized. Before you can turn on login verification for your account, you’ll need to register a verified phone number and a confirmed email address.
Two factor authentication means that there’s essentially another protective wall ahead of the password. Lone passwords, even the strongest ones, are likely be cracked. While two factor authentication isn’t exactly bulletproof itself, it does significantly ramp up account security as in Twitter’s case the user has to enter the randomly generated code each time they want to log in, and the code is only sent to their registered mobile number. Even if it sounds like a chore, one can never be too safe with a lone password, and its always better to have that extra wall of security.