Facebook Made It Easy to Set up Two-Factor Authentication
Facebook makes it easy to set up two-factor authentication for your account and allows those who want to use a third-party authentication app instead of their phone number to get their authentication code.
If you’re not familiar, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account. When you log in with your password on a new device or in a slightly unusual way, you will also be prompted to enter a numeric code, which you will receive either in a text message or through the app. The idea is that even if someone else manages to get your password, they won’t be able to access your account.
If you haven’t configured it yet, you should do so. Most services these days offer this feature, including Twitter and Gmail, and you want it to be customized to whatever you have.
Previously, you had to give Facebook your phone number in order to use two-factor authentication. What if for obvious reasons you didn’t want to transfer meant you couldn’t use that feature.
You can now use a third-party app like Google Authenticator that continually generates new codes (so you can access them even if you don’t have a cellular signal) in addition to your phone number.
For people who don’t have this feature configured at all, Facebook will also walk you through the guided process to make it a little less confusing.
To get started, go to the Settings menu in the Facebook app or desktop, then select Security & Sign-in and then Use Two-Factor Authentication.