Apple Increases Account Security With Optional Two-Step Verification System for Apple IDs
Apple has implemented a new two-step verification system for Apple IDs (via 9to5Mac), adding an additional layer of protection for Apple accounts with an extra security code and a "trusted" device.
Two-step verification will require you to verify your identity using one of your devices before you can make changes to your account or make an iTunes or App Store purchase from a new device. You will also get a Recovery Key for safekeeping which you can use to access your account if you ever forget your password or lose your device.
Once enabled, the new system replaces the standard security questions that are asked before users make purchases on a new device and password resets can only be done from the designated iPhone or iPad.
As the recovery key is used in place of security questions, keeping it secure is of the utmost importance. A lost or forgotten key can be recovered with a trusted device and a password, just as a password can be recovered with a trusted device and a recovery key.
The verification system will request a password that has one letter, one number, one capital letter, and at least eight characters. If such a password is not already in use, users will need to wait three days to fully enable two-step verification. Users with an already compliant password can move on immediately to the next step.
A security code will be sent through SMS or using the Find My iPhone app, and during setup, users can choose a single trusted device. To begin the process, users can visit the Apple ID website to implement two-step verification.
Related Stories
We've seen a lot of teasers about the Beats Studio Buds over the past month since they first showed up in Apple's beta software updates, and today they're finally official. The Beats Studio Buds are available to order today in red, white, and black ahead of a June 24 ship date, and they're priced at $149.99.
The Studio Buds are the first Beats-branded earbuds to truly compete with AirPods...
Apple is enhancing AirTags security to prevent stalking using the Bluetooth devices, Apple told CNET today. Apple is already sending out over-the-air updates to AirTags that will shorten the amount of time before an unknown AirTag alerts you if it is in your possession.
At the current time, AirTags play a sound after three days of being away from their owner. After the update, AirTags will...
Apple this week released iOS 12.4, the newest version of iOS 12 available for iPhones and iPads. One of the new features in iOS 12.4 is an updated data migration option that uses device to device transfers rather than relying on iCloud.
Apple didn't provide much information on the new data migration feature, so we thought we'd check it out in our latest YouTube video.
Subscribe to the ...
YouTube is planning to stop supporting its YouTube app on the third-generation Apple TV models, where YouTube has long been available as a channel option.
A 9to5Mac reader received a message about the upcoming app discontinuation, which is set to take place in March.Starting early March, the YouTube app will no longer be available on Apple TV (3rd generation). You can still watch YouTube on...
T-Mobile has issued a statement with further details about a cyberattack that the company confirmed earlier this week, confirming that the data breach included the personal information of almost 50 million current, former, and prospective customers.
Late last week, T-Mobile confirmed that a forum post that purported to offer data from more than 100 million people was the result of a company...
Apple's long-awaited AirTag was finally unveiled today, and as expected, the small circle-shaped accessories can be attached to items like wallets, keys, and more to allow them to be tracked in the Find My app.
As was rumored ahead of release, each AirTag is equipped with a U1 chip, and on devices that also have U1 chips, there's a Precision Finding feature.
U1 Ultra Wideband chips are...
Apple will release a new version of the MacBook Air around the middle of 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in note to investors seen by MacRumors.
The upcoming MacBook Air will feature a 13.3-inch mini-LED display, which would make it the second Mac to gain mini-LED technology after the 2021 MacBook Pro, which is rumored to include a mini-LED display and is expected to launch later ...
Apple today announced that the original film "Finch," starring Tom Hanks in its titular role, will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, November 5 and shared a first-look image from the film.
The first look at "Finch," shared by Apple. The film, which is anticipated to be an awards season contender, revolves around a man, a robot (played by "Get Out" actor Caleb Landry Jones), and a dog that form ...
Another class-action complaint has been lodged against Apple, which claims that the company was aware of a MacBook Pro design flaw that caused some devices to have backlight display issues (via Apple Insider).
The so-called "flexgate" problem was present in some MacBook Pro models manufactured between 2016 and 2017. The problem appears as dark patches along the bottom of the MacBook Pro's...
Apple introduced the first MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini with M1 Apple Silicon chips yesterday, and as of today, the first benchmark of the new chip appears to be showing up on the Geekbench site.
The M1 chip, which belongs to a MacBook Air with 8GB RAM, features a single-core score of 1687 and a multi-core score of 7433. According to the benchmark, the M1 has a 3.2GHz base...
Top Rated Comments
Perhaps you missed the part that it's optional?
:rolleyes:
John Appleseed? Is that really you?
Apple introduces two-step verification and people complain.
Really sick of the anti-Apple everything happening these days. Sheesh.
That's the kind of code only an idiot would have on his luggage... //www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iW-8xPw3k :D
It works with other services like Dropbox, Lastpass, Amazon Web Services and Facebook because it is based on some standard method of creating codes. You don't even have to use the official Google Authenticator app, there are several others like Authenticator for Windows Phone and a version for so called Java dumb phones.
Someone asked about Facebook and Google Authenticator. They are telling you to use their own code generator but they are really just using the same method as Google and Dropbox. Just click the help button when you are setting it up and look for a 16 digit code (or something), this you type in Google Authenticator and it will give you one time codes back. I can confirm this is working. Also, nothing stops you from using several devices with Google Authenticator (or third-party alternatives) as long as you set them up at the same time.
You should of course have auto lock enabled on your phone if you are using a phone application like Google Authenticator to create codes. And it is still a good idea, even with 2 step activated, to use a password manager to create passwords for most accounts and Diceware for accounts where you have to remember the password.
Too bad Apple did not choose to support Google Authenticator.