Protecting your accounts with something you know (your password) and something you have (an authentication code) ensures that even if your password is compromised, your data is still protected. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up two-step verification on your Dropbox account.
Set up Your Verification Device
You can either elect to have confirmation codes come via text message or via an authentication app like Google Authenticator. If you’d like to use an app (and set up two-step verification for other services like Gmail, WordPress, LastPass etc.), I highly recommend Google Authenticator. Setup instructions for iOS, Android, and Blackberry devices.
Enable Dropbox Two-step Verification
To enable Dropbox two-step verification:
Step 1: Log in to Dropbox and click your name > Settings (top right corner)
Step 2: Click Security
Step 3: Click (change) next to Two-step verification
Step 4: Click Get started
Step 5: Re-authenticate with your Dropbox password and click Next
Step 6: Elect to use the mobile app or receive text messages and click Next
If you choose text messages, a code will be sent to your device, which you’ll validate, and you’ll be done with setup.
Step 7: On the Google Authenticator app, click the Add (+) button and click Scan Barcode; scan the barcode on your screen. If you’re setting up two-step verification using your mobile device, click enter your secret key manually and copy and paste the key into the Google Authenticator app
Step 8: Test the key provided by the app and click Next
Step 9: Write down this emergency backup code somewhere safe; this is the only way to ever access your account should you misplace your phone with the Google Authenticator app and lose access to Dropbox
Step 10: Click Done
Re-Authenticate Your Devices
Now you’ve enabled two-step verification, I recommend you authenticate your devices while you have the Authenticator app handy. When you log in to the various apps you use for Dropbox, simply enter the code from your mobile device:
If you come across an app that doesn’t support two-step verification, authenticate using your normal password instead and check your email. You will receive a message similar to the one below:
Click the link in the email to get the one-time password you’ll use for the app and paste the password into the app to authenticate:
This additional layer of security may be less convenient to use but it ensures you’ll keep your data protected if your password gets into the wrong hands.
Next Step
Now you’ve set up two-step verification, consider encrypting sensitive data in your Dropbox (while still providing access from any PC or smart device.)
About Rich
Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.
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