How to Enable Extra Sign-in Security For Your Google Account

Although email services like Gmail have become significantly more secure now than lets say in 2005, stories of email accounts getting hacked are not that uncommon. Online security remains a challenge, and Google recently decided to address it more firmly by introducing extra sign-in security for Google accounts.

This extra security feature makes use of a code that is sent to your phone. That means even if someone gets access to your Google account password, he can’t get in unless he has your phone. You’d have to be really unlucky for him to have access to both of them at the same time.

Lets see how to enable this feature.

Step 1. Go to your Google account settings page. If you are already signed in to a Google service, use the toolbar at the top to access it.

Step 2. Click on using 2-step verification under personal settings.

Step 3. Go through the instructions page before proceeding.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Setting up 2-step verification is a time taking process. Google will guide you through the phone setup process and adding a backup option in case your phone isn’t available. I did not go through that because I didn’t think I need the extra security for the time being. Also, if you enable 2-step verification, third-party apps like Outlook, Gtalk clients etc will stop working because they can’t ask for the code. You’ll have to setup separate application-specific passwords which is outlined here.

How does it Work?

Once you have 2-step verification enabled, after you enter the password to sign in to your Google account you will get a call or SMS from Google to tell you the code that you need to enter there. You could also use a mobile app on Android, BlackBerry or iPhone to generate the code yourself.

After you get the code, you can enter it to access your Google account. You can also choose to remember the code for that particular computer for a period of 30 days.

This is definitely advanced Google Account security. Does come with some hassles, but then, that’s the trade-off you need to endure if you want foolproof security, right?