How to Prepare Blink and Arlo Webcams for Required Two-Factor Authentication
Following on from Nest and Ring, smart home security camera companies Arlo and Blink announced that they will make two-factor authentication (2FA) mandatory for all users by the end of 2020.
This is a smart move; we’ve seen cloud-based security systems exploited by hackers or compromised by poor security policies lately, and forcing users to use 2FA when logging in is a worthy way to improve security. None of the companies are implementing 2FA yet, but there are steps owners of these devices can take to make sure their accounts are ready.
Blink will ask users to verify their email addresses starting March 30 and will notify you as soon as 2FA becomes available later this year. Arlo users, on the other hand, can opt for the company’s 2FA service right now – and you must. But there is one technical twist: Arlo’s 2Fa is technically 2 – Step Verification , as Arlo only supports login verification via text messages, email, and push notifications so far. In the future, the company plans to expand its use of other, more secure methods, such as authentication apps and Bluetooth devices.
How to enable two-factor authentication for Arlo devices on mobile:
- Open the Arlo app on your phone.
- Go to Settings> Profile> Login Settings> Two-Step Verification and tap the slider to enable this feature.
- Select the verification method you want to use: push notifications, emails, or text messages. (Note that only the mobile app supports push notifications.)
On the desktop:
- Go to my.arlo.com
- Sign in to your Arlo account.
- Go to Settings> Profile> Two-Step Verification and click the slider to turn it on.
- Click Add SMS Confirmation and follow the onscreen instructions. You can also use your email address.
If you run into any issues, be sure to check the Arlo support page to enable and use two-step verification. It’s also worth brushing up on some general cloud camera privacy guidelines while you’re at it.