Twitter Removes Key Safety Feature from Accounts
Twitter’s Two- Factor Authentication Changes What You Need to Know
Twitter Removes Key Safety Feature from Accounts you want to know when it will be starting March 20th, Twitter will disable free SMS two- factor authentication for druggies who aren’t subscribed to Twitter Blue. This redundant subcaste of security is designed to help account preemption if your word is compromised.
What’s Two- Factor Authentication?
The most common form of two- factor authentication is SMS 2FA. After entering your word to log into an account, the authentication system sends a law to your phone via SMS. You enter this law on the website to prove you’re the proprietor of the account. Other forms of 2FA include software- grounded authentication commemoratives and tackle keys.
Why is Two- Factor Authentication Important?
Banks, social media platforms, and other security-conscious associations generally see 2FA as a good and useful thing, especially since numerous people exercise watchwords for several platforms. For this reason, SMS 2FA is generally offered free of charge.
Why is Twitter Ditching Free SMS 2FA?
Twitter owner Elon Musk has given two reasons for ending free SMS 2FA: money and security. Musk tweeted that phone companies were scamming Twitter out of $60 million per year by sending “fake” 2FA SMS. He also said that other authentication apps were “more secure than SMS.” Internet security expert Troy Hunt agreed, saying that “generally SMS is considered to be the weakest” in the “security hierarchy” of 2FA methods due to the risk of “sim jacking.”
The Controversy Around Twitter’s Decision
Many have pointed out that paid-up Twitter Blue users will still have access to SMS 2FA, which contradicts Musk’s claim that boosting security was the reason for the decision. “If it’s about security, they should [remove] SMS 2FA for everyone, for Twitter Blue users,” Hunt said.
The Effect of Cancelling Free SMS 2FA on Twitter
Hunt believes that cancelling free SMS 2FA will probably not have a significant effect on Twitter. He said, “The number of people that have 2FA enabled on Twitter is in the single digits.” Of these, some already have Twitter Blue, some may upgrade to Twitter Blue, and others will switch to other methods of 2FA. Hunt predicts there will be some degree of uptick in account takeover but whether this would cost Twitter more than $60 million a year is a “good question.”
How to Keep Your Account Secure Without Free SMS 2FA
You have two options to keep your account secure without free SMS 2FA: authenticator apps and hardware keys. Authenticator apps are the simplest and cheapest option. Download one, then go to Twitter’s settings to enable it. These apps are not vulnerable to sim jacking, but you can still be a victim of phishing.
Hardware keys are a USB drive that provides a unique number to authenticate yourself. It’s the most trusted option, but many people find them inconvenient because you have to have the key with you whenever you need to complete 2FA.
What Happens if You Do Nothing?
If you do nothing, you’ll still be able to use Twitter like before. Starting March 20, you will need to disable 2FA before you can continue to use your account. The only real change will be an increase in the risk of having your Twitter account hacked.
