Now Two-Factor Authentication Replaces Two-Step Verification in iOS11

With the latest iOS 11 you can now set up two factor authentication to keep your device safe instead of two step verification that is used in iOS 10 and previous devices. Whether it is your iPhone or iPad infact any other smarphone or tablet you need to keep your data and things secure from the hackers and that is why almost all the devices and also apps that you connect online on web offers you set up two step verification to sheath your privacy from being stolen.

If you still do now know about the concept of two-factor authentication, it is simply a two step process for logging into an account. One step is almost always your traditional password that you have set up when creating to login your account and the second step depends on you actively acknowledging that you are making the log in attempt, but the method can vary. As you see Facebook app has a number generator that provides randomized codes. Even Google uses the same concept of random codes, but uses various apps to generate them. Online Amazon gives users the option between a phone call, a text, or an authentication app. Apple offers the option of either traditional text messages to a phone number, or a code sent directly to a device that has been designated as being “trusted.”

One thing to note about two-factor authentication is that it rarely, if ever, applies to all logins. Maybe for secure sites, such as bank or billing account sites, but in the case of Apple, it only comes into play when you need to access the iCloud web interface or the Apple ID management site from your computer, or perform certain critical logins or log outs that could compromise your account. To turn on what Apple refers to as Two-Step Verification, you will need to go to the following url https://appleid.apple.com/#!&page=signin

This is Apple’s site for all Apple ID setup or changes, and the central hub for managing your main Apple account. After logging in, you will find your account, security, devices you have added. Click the Edit button to the right of the Security section, where you will find the Two-Factor Verification menu.

• Simply follow the prompts to turn Two-Step Verification on
• First, you will be asked to set up Security Questions and Answers.
• Then you will add a Trusted Phone Number, which will be verified with an SMS message with a four digit code.
• You will also be given the opportunity to set up other Trusted Phone Numbers and/or Trusted Devices.
• Finally, you will be prompted to set up and confirm a Recovery Key. This is your access of last resort if someone tries to hack your account and you have to reset your password.
• So you need to save this and never forget it. Apple will not be able to help you if you lost your recovery key
• Once you confirm your choice to Enable Two-Step Verification, you are all set.

 

Now with iOS 11 Apple has changed few things for more better security for users and now you need not go and do the above mentioned process for Two-Step Verification but use the new and improved Two-Factor Authentication.

Note that if you already have Two-Step set up and have either upgraded to the iOS 11 Public Beta or are considering it, then follow the simple steps to set up your two factor authentication. For those who have already done the two step verification you might have received an email from Apple mentioning that soon as you upgrade to either the iOS 11 Developer or Public Beta, your account automatically shifts over to Two-Factor Authentication and the changes that come with it. It isn’t radically different, but all of the new features make it both easier to use and more secure than its predecessor.

One of the first things you may notice when you upgrade a new device to iOS 11 is that you are automatically prompted to make it a Trusted Device in Settings.

So now you need not remember to go to the Apple ID management page and set up a new device every time that you upgrade and thus the new two factor authentication is a great user-friendly addition from Apple.

The first time that you are prompted to use Two-Factor to log into your Apple ID after turning it on, you will notice that a lot about how your Verification Codes and Trusted Devices work has changed. First of all, you no longer have to select which device to be notified on. Now, all of your Trusted Devices are notified simultaneously that a login requiring approval is being attempted.

Also the best part of this update is that you now get a map view and relative location where the request is coming from. This is a great security upgrade, as you should quickly be able to spot any illegitimate request based on location. Note that map tracking is going to be subject to how that location shows up to Apple’s servers. The next thing former Two-Step users will notice is that the codes have grown from four to six digits.

Every number that you add makes the code exponentially more complex and harder to crack, so the more the better. Apple gently suggests making iOS device passcodes six characters now rather the old school four when you set up a new device, so this change isn’t a big surprise.

The new Two-Factor location notifications, longer codes, and easier Verified Device setup and notification process are all really solid steps forward.

If you either already have or are thinking about upgrading to the iOS 11 beta, you can turn this feature on as soon as you upgrade it to the latest iOS on your iPad.