Given the rampancy of cybercrime these days, it’s very much essential to secure our social media accounts by every possible means. But what if someone says you need to subscribe in order to secure?
Twitter is already charging its users for a number of things; for instance- one needs to pay for posting long videos, a verified badge and other things. It was declared in February that as of March 20, only users of Twitter Blue will be able to use SMS two-factor authentication (2FA).
In essence, this implies that starting on Monday, users who currently utilize two-factor authentication to safeguard their accounts would no longer have that extra degree of security. However, the Elon Musk-owned platform said last month that users will need to sign up for Twitter Blue, which costs $8 per month, in order to access the SMS-based 2FA.
Those who already have 2FA enabled must either subscribe to Twitter Blue to keep using SMS-based 2FA or turn it off and set it up using third-party applications by Monday if they want to keep using SMS-based 2FA.
But you don’t have to worry, as you can still set up two-factor authentication for free and you won’t even be required to buy the subscription. Let’s find out how.
Why do you at all need two-factor authentication? (2FA)
An additional security measure that users should enable for all social media accounts and other services is two factor authentication (2FA). After the feature is enabled, you must re-verify your identity to log into the account by supplying a secondary security number.
As you alone know the 2FA passwords, your accounts’ security is increased by double. In order to access your account on any device after 2FA has been enabled, you must first log in with your usual password and then enter a different security code.
But if this is so important, why did Twitter decide to limit it?
The micro-blogging platform has explained in a blog post that SMS-based 2FA can be abused by bad actors and so it recommends people to rely on third-party 2FA apps or security key methods. Musk said that scammers were costing close to $60 million a year with “bogus SMS charges”.
According to Twitter- “while historically a popular form of 2FA, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors. So starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers.”
Also read: The New and Modern Technologies of Online Casino 2022
What have the users got to say?
While one user called the decision “vile” and “disgusting”, another user conjectured that Twitter’s latest move could “lead to class action suits when people get hacked and have damages.” Evan Greer, the director of Fight for the Future, a non-profit digital rights advocacy group, denounced the move. She referred to this choice as yet another of Musk’s “chaotic actions” in an email to NPR. She has criticized Twitter’s recent moves after Musk took control of the firm.
In her email to NPR, she wrote- “Twitter users should never have been put in this situation. Making changes to something as sensitive as 2 factor authentication, which could mean the difference between someone’s physical safety and a stalker, abuser or authoritarian government gaining access to their account, should never be made in such a reckless and poorly thought out manner.”
Also read: Latest Technological Trends in IGaming Sphere
How to enable Two-factor authentication on Twitter?
Keep in mind that you must first acquire a trustworthy third-party authentication app from the Play Store before we can explain how to enable 2FA without paying a subscription. People have a variety of options, and they can choose to download the Authy, Microsoft, or Google Authenticator apps.
Step 1: Open Twitter first, then go to the Settings page (on a computer, Settings is immediately displayed on the left side of the screen; android users must tap the profile image and then tap Settings and Privacy on their mobile devices.)
Step 2: Users of Android devices must now tap “Security and Account access” in step 2.
Step 3: Tap Security and Two-factor authentication once again.
Step 4: Choose Get started after enabling the Authentication app option. Now a QR code will appear.
Step 5: Launch the downloaded third-party authentication app, then scan the QR code on the Twitter app.
Step 6: Lastly, input the six-digit numerical code you were given by the Authentication app.
Also read: How Tech Is Changing the Online Gaming Industry
Summing it up
We hope this article could help you give a better perspective of the two-factor authentication of Twitter!
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below and do not forget to visit trendingnewsbuzz for more mind-boggling updates.
