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Home/News & Analysis/Pinterest Adds Two-Factor Authentication
Pinterest Adds Two-Factor Authentication
BY TOM BRANT
JUNE 27, 2017 01:42PM EST0 COMMENTS
The security feature requires you to enter an additional passcode to log in to your account. It's rolling out to all users in the next few weeks.
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Social collection and shopping service Pinterest beefed up its security on Tuesday, adding two-factor authentication and email notifications when you log in from a new location.

Pinterest's two-factor authentication requires you to enter a verification code sent via text message or displayed in the Authy mobile app from Twilio in addition to your account password each time you sign in. The company says this extra layer of security will be rolling out to all accounts in the next few weeks.

Once it's available on your account, you can activate two-factor authentication from the security section of your account settings page; here, you can also get a backup code to write down. The security section will also now include a list of all devices that are logged in to your account. If you don't recognize a connected device, you can revoke its access from the settings page.

Enabling two-factor authentication is an easy way to improve the security of your account, especially if you're one of the many who use weak passwords. As PCMag's lead security analyst Neil J. Rubenking puts it, "there are three generally recognized factors for authentication: something you know (such as a password), something you have (such as a hardware token or cell phone), and something you are (such as your fingerprint). Two-factor means the system is using two of these options."

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Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up
Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up
As for Pinterest, even if you don't enable two-factor authentication, you'll still get an email from Pinterest each time you log in from a new device or location.

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The added Pinterest security measures are reassuring, but the company is playing catch-up, especially compared to the robust account security capabilities that email providers and cloud storage companies like Dropbox offer. The Turn it On website, which promotes two-factor authentication and is sponsored by internet security company TeleSign, currently lists hundreds of websites that offer the feature.

For more on how to set up two-factor authentication and additional security for your other accounts, check out PCMag's guide.