Securing Social Media Accounts
Multifactor Authentication for Social
Social media may not be necessary, but it is certainly popular. An estimated 5 billion people worldwide access the internet and over 3.5 billion of them use social media of one type or another. So how do we keep social media accounts secure? A big way is by enabling multifactor authentication (MFA).
What is MFA?
MFA adds a layer of security by requiring you to verify your access with more than just your password. Factors of authentication can be:
- Something you know (ex: password)
- Something you have (ex: mobile phone with app loaded)
- Something you are (ex: fingerprint)
While MFA cannot solve all attempts to log in that are not you, it is certainly helpful. Microsoft estimates that 99.9% of account compromises could be prevented using it.
Is one factor better than another?
Certain forms of MFA are more secure than others. We suggest using a third-party authenticator app. They provide better protection than a text-/phone call-based recovery, and many are free. Make sure you keep your app up to date and patched to keep it in prime working order.
Should I set up a backup method?
Certain accounts will allow you to set up a backup method to authenticate your access. While these are a great way to ensure your access in case your primary method is unavailable, keep in mind that your accounts are only as secure as the least secure way to get in.
Setting Up MFA for Discord
- Open Discord and access My Account. (To get there from PC, click the gear icon in the bottom right corner. To get there from mobile app, tap your profile icon on the bottom right corner.)
- Scroll down and click the Enable Two-Factor Auth
- Verify your password and click Continue.
- Follow prompts for setting up authentication via third party authenticator. This is the only MFA option offered for Discord. Setup will include scanning a QR code with your third-party authenticator app or manually entering a key code they provide.
- Follow prompts to verify authentication works.
Setting Up MFA for Facebook
- Log in and locate the Main Menu. Click Settings & Privacy.
- Select Settings, then Security & Login. Depending on whether you are using a mobile device or a computer, you may also need to select Password and Security.
- Click to edit the Use Two-Factor Authentication
- Select the authentication method of your choosing (we prefer using a third-party app).
- Follow prompts for setting up the method of your choice. This may include scanning a QR code with your third-party authenticator app or putting in information such as alternate contact (email address/mobile phone number)
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Note: You can set up a backup method to authenticate by going through these same steps again.
Setting Up MFA for Instagram
- Log in and click on your profile picture. (Tap the hamburger menu if you are on your mobile device.)
- Select Settings. Click Security or Privacy and Security, depending on whether you are using a PC or mobile device.
- Click to edit the Two-Factor Authentication setting option.
- Select the authentication method of your choosing (we prefer using a third-party app).
- Follow prompts for setting up the method of your choice. This may include scanning a QR code with your third-party authenticator app or putting in information such as alternate contact (email address/mobile phone number)
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Note: If you are setting up MFA for Instagram on a PC, the only option will be to receive a text.
Setting Up MFA for LinkedIn
- Log in and click or tap your profile picture to access the menu there.
- Click Settings & Privacy. (Or just Settings on mobile.)
- Select Sign in & Security.
- Click the Two-step verification If on PC, click Turn on.
- Select the authentication method of your choosing (we prefer using a third-party app).
- Follow prompts for setting up the method of your choice. This may include scanning a QR code with your third-party authenticator app or putting in information such as alternate contact (email address/mobile phone number).
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Setting Up MFA for Pinterest
- Log in and go to your Profile.
- Click
- Go to Security tab and check Require code at login.
- Verify your password to continue.
- Add your phone number.
- Follow prompts to verify the SMS verification code they send you works.
Setting Up MFA for Signal
- Open the app and tap on the three dots in the top right corner.
- Click Settings and tap on Account.
- Tap on Registration Lock. This will require you to use your Signal PIN to re-register your phone number with Signal to sign in again.
Note: You can only set up MFA for Signal via the mobile app.
Setting Up MFA for Snapchat
- Open the app and tap your profile icon at the top left.
- Click the gear icon (for settings) at the top right of the next screen.
- Select the Use Two-Factor Authentication option, also called Login Verification.
- Click Continue, then select the authentication method of your choosing (we prefer using a third-party app).
- Follow prompts for setting up the method of your choice. This may include scanning a QR code with your third-party authenticator app or putting in information such as alternate contact (email address/mobile phone number).
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Note: You can only set up MFA for Snapchat via the mobile app.
Setting Up MFA for Telegram
- Log in and locate the Main Menu. (Access through the three-line hamburger in the top left corner.)
- Click Settings, then click on Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down and click to enable Two-Step Verification
- Change your password. You will need this and a text code to log into any new device.
Setting Up MFA for TikTok
- Open the TikTok app and access your Profile.
- Tap the three-line hamburger in the top right corner.
- Click Settings and privacy.
- Select Security and login.
- Click 2-Step Authentication until it displays as On.
- Select the authentication method of your choosing: text or email.
- Follow prompts for setting up the method of your choice. This may include putting in information such as alternate contact (email address/mobile phone number)
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Note: You can only set up MFA for TikTok via the mobile app.
Setting Up MFA for Twitch
- Log in and access your Profile by clicking/tapping on your profile icon at the top.
- On PC, go to Settings, then select Security & Privacy. On mobile, go to Account Settings
- Click the Set Up Two-Factor Authentication option, then Enable 2FA.
- Follow prompts for setting up MFA.
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Setting Up MFA for Twitter
- Log in and locate the Main Menu. (Click More if you are on a PC.)
- Click Settings & Privacy. (Click on Security and account access if you are on mobile.)
- Select Security.
- Click the Two-Factor Authentication
- Select the authentication method of your choosing. In order to use a device such as a Security Key, you will have to first set up MFA using either text or a third-party app.
- Follow prompts for setting up the method of your choice. This may include scanning a QR code with your third-party authenticator app or putting in information such as alternate contact (email address/mobile phone number)
- Follow prompts to verify your authentication method works.
Setting Up MFA for WhatsApp
- Open the app and tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
- Select Settings, then Account.
- Tap the Two-Step Authentication
- Tap Enable to enter your own 6-digit PIN to use as verification.
- (Optional) Set up an email address as a backup in case you forget your PIN.
Note: You can only set up MFA for WhatsApp via the mobile app.
Can Frontline Help?
Individuals and organizations can take many of these steps on their own. Organizations may want to look into password/MFA management through Frontline Technology. The service is available to managed services clients, so contact us to start a conversation.
ABOUT FRONTLINE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Frontline Technology is one of the only ministry-focused IT companies that is led by pastors and ministry leaders. With over 20 years' experience serving organizations of all sizes, Frontline understands the unique needs, budgets, and technology challenges of nonprofits.
Technology is often perceived as complicated and expensive. Many nonprofits struggle to implement the technology solutions and security needed to drive their mission forward. Frontline Technology helps nonprofits overcome their technology challenges so they can stay focused on their mission.
For nonprofits of every type and size: We Keep IT Simple
Contact Us
Frontline Technology is one of the only ministry-focused IT companies that is led by pastors and ministry leaders.