Two-step verification protects your Apple ID from unauthorized access when accessing iCloud.com and the Apple ID web interface or when when making an App Store or iTunes purchase from a new device. It’s an additional layer of security which combines something you know (your Apple ID password) with something you have (an iOS device).
Once enabled, it requires that you enter a four-digit code after providing your Apple ID credentials, with the code being pushed to a trusted iOS device.
You will also get a 14-character Recovery Key to regain control of your account should you ever lose access to your trusted devices or forget your password.
So, is your Apple ID protected with two-factor verification or do you still trust your digital life with the good ol’ password in conjunction with security questions?
So who’s protected their Apple ID with two-step verification?
Your Apple ID is key to everything you do with Apple, be it buying media and apps on iTunes, using iCloud on all your devices, buying from the Apple Online Store, making a reservation at an Apple Retail Store, accessing the Apple Support website and more.
It is therefore crucial that you do yourself a big favor: write your Recovery Key on a piece of paper, store it in a safe place and remember every once in a while to check if it’s still there, a lesson The Next Web’s Owen Williams learned the hard way.
You should never, ever store your Recovery Key as a screenshot on your Mac or iOS device, upload it to the cloud or store it in password-managers such as 1Password.