ANDROID users have been urged to enable an important setting or risk their bank accounts being emptied.
Google has packed its Android devices with a number of privacy and security tools that work to keep your data safe.
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One of these tools includes Google Authenticator, which helps to further secure your online accounts.
Most people already use or know two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA.
2FA protects your accounts by requiring an extra level of verification before logging in – such as a text confirmation.
And while this is better than only using a lengthy password, sometimes hackers can get access to your messages.
For this reason, Google is recommending that people use its company’s built-in authenticator.
“Prevent hackers from accessing your account with an additional layer of security,” Google writes on its support page.
“When you sign in, 2-Step Verification helps make sure that your personal information stays private, safe, and secure,” the company added.
HOW DOES GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR WORK?
Google Authenticator is a 2-step software-based system that is designed to replace SMS texts for your two-factor authentication.
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So when you sign up or log in to a website, it’s the Google Authenticator that validates a login – rather than a text.
What’s more, users can still receive codes without an internet connection or mobile service.
SET UP GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR
Getting set up on Google Authenticator is easy – simply down the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
On your device, go to your Google Account > at the top, and tap the Security tab.
Under Signing in to Google, tap 2-Step Verification and then tap on the large blue Get Started button.
You may need to sign in, and then under the Authenticator app, tap Set up > follow the on-screen steps.
And for those of you who don’t have Android devices, you can still use Google Authenticator to keep your Gmail and other Google accounts safe.
