Twitter introduces two-step verification to improve account security

TORONTO – Twitter introduced two-step verification for all account holders Wednesday in an effort to improve account security and thwart potential hackers.

The addition of two-factor authentication comes after a series of high-profile Twitter accounts were hacked, tweeting profane and, in some cases, sensitive information that caused an uproar on the social network.

Users who enable two-factor authentication on their accounts are required to register a verified phone number to their account. Once activated, the user will be required to input a six-digit code sent via text message to the number registered to their account along with their password each time they sign in to their account.

The idea is that a potential hacker would have a much harder time accessing the account without access to the account holder’s phone.

The social networking giant added a video to their blog showing users how to enable two-step verification to their account. The process takes no more than five minutes if you first have to register a phone number.

According to a blog post by Twitter product security team member Jim O’Leary, any applications that use your Twitter account will continue to work once two-step verification is activated.

“Of course, even with this new security option turned on, it’s still important for you to use a strong password and follow the rest of our advice for keeping your account secure,” wrote O’Leary in the blog post.

Other well-known social networking and Internet companies use two-step verification for increased account security, including Google and Facebook.

Twitter recently came under fire for not introducing two-step verification sooner, after a series of high-profile Twitter accounts were hacked. In April alone the Twitter handles of CBS, NPR, BBC, Financial times and E! Online were hacked.

One of the most high profile examples happened mid-April when the Twitter account of the Associated Press was hacked, sending out a false tweet about an attack at the White House.

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In this case, the Dow fell 143 points, from 14,697 to 14,554, after the fake Twitter posting, but quickly recovered.