Instagram Releases Two-factor Authentication to Help Prevent Security Breaches
Instagram’s popularity continues to grow, and the social network has started to roll out two-factor authentication to help prevent security breaches.
Until now, logging into Instagram only required a user ID and password, but TechCrunch is reporting that soon users will be able to opt for a temporary code to be texted to them, as a second step in the login process.
Enabling two-factor is a long belated move by the service, which has become the photo sharing service of choice for many celebrities. Last year, Taylor Swift was the victim of a hack, where a user took over her account and posted several pictures that were later deleted when her team regained control of it.
Without two-factor, they only had to change her password on Instagram.
Instagram’s new stepped up security comes shortly after it started allowing multiple accounts — another long-requested feature. Users started seeing the update earlier this month, which allows people to switch between accounts without going through the hassle of logging out and in repeatedly.
Instagram’s parent company Facebook, which acquired it in 2012, already started offering two-factor security in 2011. Gmail also turned on two-factor the same year.