It’s not enough to just have a secure password, sadly. Even if you have the most brilliantly designed, complicated password in the world, it can still be cracked. No system is secure, and all it takes is a determined enough hacker or a key-logger. Thankfully, most businesses seem to understand that and provide their users with a plethora of advanced security features to make one’s account almost un-hackable. Here’s a few of the features that you should use, if they’re available:
Email Authentication
One of the more obvious ones, this involves setting up an email account which will receive notifications (and approval codes) whenever you try to make changes to your account. It’s also a useful tool to use if your account’s been compromised, or you’ve forgotten your password. You can generally get the information sent to the email you provided. In the event that you’re trying to protect an email account (rather than your Steam account or social media account) it might be worth thinking about setting up a secondary email in the event that your primary runs into trouble.
Secret Questions
Probably one of the most common account security measures, many websites actually require their users to set up security questions, with personal information such as their first pet or their mother’s maiden name – stuff that no hacker should actually know. It’s not as good a solution as some of the other items on this list, but hey, every bit helps.
Mobile Authentication
Have a cell phone? Good. Use it. Many websites such as Facebook feature the ability to verify your account by adding a mobile number to your account. Whenever something changes with the account(or if you lose your password somehow), you’ll receive a text message with a verification code. Enter in the code, and boom – you’ve got access to your account again. Anyone who doesn’t enter the code, well…they’re out of luck.
“Trusted Devices” and Login Approval
Want your computer to be the only one you can log in on? Set it up as a trusted device, then set up login approval (it’s pretty easy to do, and is generally found under “account security.” You’ll need to enter in a verification code sent to either your email or mobile phone, in most cases). Whenever someone logs on from a computer that isn’t yours, they’ll be locked out of the account until they can provide the code that’s been texted or emailed to you.
Login Notifications
Finally, login notifications inform you whenever anyone logs onto your account from anywhere. Basically, it’s an early-warning system that lets you take immediate action if your account’s been compromised. Again, just navigate to the ‘account security’ tab on Facebook to set it up.
Image Credits: Jambai Blog
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