Dropbox: Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Making sure that your apps are secure and to prevent any hacking attempts, most apps now integrate a two-step verification. This multi-factor authentication makes users feel more safe using the service especially if you store sensitive data on that app. In addition to being automatically linked to your windows and many users having it back up all the files on their pc, as a file hosting service, many users choose Dropbox to store their valuable files. It goes without saying that no user can afford to have these files stolen from their account thus making a two-step verification essential. If you have a device that can receive text messages or a device that is compatible with an authenticator app, you can activate the two-factor authentication.

Two-Factor Authentication via Text and Authentication App

1. Login into your Dropbox by entering your email and password. You will be directed to the Dropbox homepage.

2. At the homepage, you will find your avatar on the top left corner of the page, click on it.

3. When clicking on the avatar, a drop menu will open, choose “settings”.

4. Under the Title “Personal Account”, you will find 6 tabs. Click on the “Security” tab.

5. In the Security page, you will find the two-step verification option. Click the switch to turn it on.

6. A pop -up window will appear that explains what is the two-step verification process is. Click “Get started”

7. Enter your password in order to confirm.

8. You will be asked which method you would like to choose for two-step verification, either your phone through text messages or an authenticator app.

   

9. Choose your preferred method then click continue.

10. If you chose text messages

• Enter the phone number that you want to receive texts on. Make sure you are able to use it at the time you enter the number and then click Next.

• A 6-digit security code will be sent to your phone in a text message. Enter it to verify your phone number.

• If you have an additional phone number that you would like to use as a back-up verification number, you can enter it now. However, this step is optional.

• Dropbox at this point will also give you a set of codes that you should save to use as one-time backup codes to access your account if needed.

• Now your security codes will be sent from now on via text messages.

   

11. If you chose the mobile app

Dropbox doesn’t have its own authentication app, it lets you use any authentication app that supports Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) protocol. The website recommends using either Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile for Android and iPhone users and Authenticator for Windows Phone.

• Download the suitable app if not already installed on your gadget

• Open the app and find the option to add a new account.

• You can either scan the code that Dropox provides you through your camera or you manually enter into the app a security “secret key” that Dropbox also provides. Click Next.

• When you enter either scanned code or the secret key, your authenticator app will be configured and ready to use, just enter the security code the app generates so you can verify the setup and enable the two-step verification.

• Click Next and you are all set!

Two-Factor Authentication via a Security Key

If you want to take your Dropbox security to the next level, a security key is what you are looking for. Instead of a text or an app, security keys are physical hardware that is similar in appearance to a flash drive. Once inserted into your device, it gives you access to services that require two-step verification without the need to use your phone and wait for a text message. If you have one you would like to use with Dropbox, here is how.

1. Follow the same steps as above until you reach the security page.

2. Under Two-step verification, you will find the option to add Security keys. Click Add.

3. Enter your password in order to confirm.

4. Take your security key and insert it into your USB port. Click “Begin Setup”

5. After inserting your security key, click “Key inserted” and do the steps your security key provider advises when using it.

6. When it is done, click “Finish” and now you are secure!

It is important to note that you should first activate the regular two-step authentication before adding a security code since security keys are not supported on all devices and browsers.  Regardless of which method you chose, two-factor authentication is a vital feature for anyone who wants to keep their data secure and feel safe while using Dropbox.