How to Implement Two-Factor Authentication Across Your Business Social Media Accounts

In the age of social media, having several social media accounts is becoming increasingly essential for businesses.

But using social media platforms—and multiple ones at that—to advertise your business brings with it a unique challenge: cybersecurity.

Cybercriminals will always be on the prowl to hack your accounts, especially as your business and online presence grows.

And one of the first lines of defense to protect against them is using two-factor authentication. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to set up 2FA for the different social media platforms. 

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure in which an account requires two forms of verification to be accessed. It is also sometimes known as two-step verification.

In essence, in addition to your login credentials (username and password), you must also perform another step to verify your identity to access your account. This secondary verification step can come in multiple forms, like:

• Inputting a one-time password (OTP) sent to the phone number or email linked to your account;
• Confirming your biometrics (fingerprint, face ID, etc.);
• Verify your identity on a third-party app (like Google Authenticator).

With 2FA, you can keep your account protected even if hackers are able to poach your login credentials. They will not be able to log in if they don’t perform the secondary verification step.

Why Your Business Needs 2FA

Your social media accounts are your business’s public face. And having someone tamper with them can be absolutely disastrous for your business.

They can, for example:

• Post inappropriate or misleading content;
• Access sensitive business or customer data;
• Disrupt business operations;
• Tamper with customer interactions;
• Delete your account.

It goes without saying that this can severely damage your relationship with your audience and customers—and sabotage your business as a whole.

Implementing 2FA on Major Social Media Platforms

Fortunately, 2FA can easily be enabled through the settings menu of the different social media platforms. 

Here’s how to do it for the five most prominent platforms.

1. Facebook

On PC

1. Click your profile picture (on the top right)
2. Click Settings & Privacy
3. Click on Settings
4. Click See more in Accounts Center 
5. Click Password and Security
6. Click Two-Factor Authentication
7. Follow the on-screen instructions

On Mobile

1. Click the Menu icon with three lines (at the top right)
2. Click Settings & Privacy
3. Click Settings
4. Click See more in Accounts Center 
5. Click Password and Security
6. Click Two-Factor Authentication
7. Follow the on-screen instructions

2. Instagram

On PC

1. Click More (icon with three lines at the bottom left)
2. Click Settings
3. Click See more in the Accounts Center 
4. Click Password and Security
5. Click Two-Factor Authentication
6. Follow the on-screen instructions
   

On Mobile

1. Click your profile icon (at the bottom right)
2. Go to Settings and Activity by clicking the icon with three lines (at the top right)
3. Click Settings
4. Click Accounts Center 
5. Click Password and Security
6. Click Two-Factor Authentication
7. Follow the on-screen instructions

Note: You may not be allowed to enable 2FA if you’re accessing your account from a device you usually do not use. So, to enable 2FA, use the device you most commonly use to access that account.

3. X (Formerly Twitter)

On PC

1. Click More (icon with three dots)
2. Click Settings and Privacy 
3. Click Security and Account Access
4. Click Security
5. Click Two-Factor Authentication
6. Choose a method and follow the on-screen instructions
   

On Mobile

1. Click your profile icon (at the top left)
2. Go to Settings & Support
3. Click Settings and privacy
4. Click Security and Account Access
5. Click Security
6. Click Two-Factor Authentication
7. Choose a method and follow the on-screen instructions

Note: The text message 2FA method is only available to premium subscribers of X.

4. LinkedIn

On PC

1. Click the Me icon with your profile picture.
2. Click Settings and Privacy 
3. Click Sign in and Security
4. Click Two-Step Verification
5. Click Set Up
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
   

On Mobile

1. Click on your profile icon (at the top left)
2. Go to Settings
3. Click Sign in and Security
4. Click Two-Step Verification
5. Click Set Up
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
   

5. YouTube (via Google Account)

On PC

1. Click on your profile picture (at the top right)
2. Click Settings
3. Click View or change your Google Account settings
4. Click Security
5. Click 2-Step Verification
6. Click Turn on 2-Step Verification
7. Follow the on-screen instructions 

On Mobile

You can’t enable 2FA for your account in the YouTube app, so you will need to open your Google Account on your browser or the Google App on your phone.  

7. Click on your profile picture (at the top right)
8. Click on Manage Your Google Account
9. Click on Security
10. Click on 2-Step Verification
11. Click Turn on 2-Step Verification
12. Follow the on-screen instructions

Note: If you have not performed them yet, you will be asked to do at least 1 of the following:

• Set up passkeys and security keys
• Link a mobile device for Google Prompt
• Add an authenticator app
• Link a mobile phone number to your Google account

These will serve as your 2FA verification method/s.

Best Practices for Managing 2FA

While enabling 2FA dramatically enhances security, its effectiveness will still rely on how well you implement and manage it. Here are some best practices when using 2FA.

1. Use Authentication Apps

Apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator are more secure than SMS, as text messages can be accessed by attackers using SIM-swapping techniques.

2. Secure Your Recovery Codes

When setting up 2FA, platforms will often provide recovery codes. Store these codes securely, such as in a password manager or by manually writing them down. This is so you can regain access if ever you lose your authentication device.

3. Train Your Team

Educate all your team members on how to use 2FA. Some may have trouble accessing the accounts if they don’t understand how the 2FA mechanisms work.

4. Regularly Audit Account Access

Regularly review who has access to your business’s social media accounts and 2FA authentication devices. Also, remember to revoke access for former employees immediately.

Other Ways to Enhance Security

In addition to 2FA, make sure to also employ these other cybersecurity measures. 

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Your password is your first line of defense, while 2FA is your second. Make sure that each account has a unique and complex password. They must contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 

Also, remember to never create passwords that are immediately linked to anything about your business, as these can be easily guessed.

2. Enable Login Alerts

Notifications to alert you of any login attempts from new devices or new locations can be set up for many social media platforms.

3. Limit Account Access

Only rant account access is available to people who require it. You should also use role-based permissions where possible.

4. Keep Software Updated

Regularly update your software and devices. Many updates involve security patches that address vulnerabilities. If possible, as many apps now do, enable the automatic download and installation of updates.

5. Use a VPN

VPNs encrypt your connection, making it much harder for your data to be breached. There are multi-device VPN services to help you protect all your business devices.

Conclusion

Implementing 2FA is a vital yet easy way to safeguard your online presence. 

While some may say the need to perform a few extra clicks to access your account can be a bit of a hassle, remember that it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

It just might save your business from an embarrassing and costly PR disaster.