Enabling 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) On Your Google Account

2-Factor Authenticatior (Also known as 2FA, Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA) adds an additional level of security to software or devices that you access, by requiring you to verify your identity using more than one method.  Where a username and password was considered sufficient in the past, the methods utilized in data breaches, identify theft, and phishing incidents have become advanced enough in recent years that an additional layer of security is now required to protect University systems and data from being compromised.

Once MFA is enabled on your Saint Peter's Google account, you will be asked to set up the second form of authentication you would like to use.  The below instructions describe how to enable 2-Factor Authentication on your Google account and set up Google Authenticator as a 2FA method.

Log into your Saint Peter's Google account, then go to https://myaccount.google.com/security and scroll down to the How you sign in to Google section.

Click on 2-Step Verification option to begin the setup wizard.

Click on the Get Started button.
Enter the phone number you wish to use to receive a text message or voice call from Google during verification, then click Next.
Your device will receive a security code based on the method you selected. Enter the code and click Next.
Click Turn On to enable 2-step verification.

Now that 2FA is enabled, open up your mobile device and download Google Authenticator either from Google Play or the Apple Store (depending on your device type).

Go back to your security page, scroll back to the How you sign in to Google section, and click on 2-Step Verification again.

Look for the Add more second steps to verify it's you section and click on Authenticator App.
Click on Set up authenticator.
Follow the instructions and scan the barcode when prompted, then click Next.​​​​​​
Enter the 6-digit verification code when prompted and click Verify to complete the process.
100% helpful - 3 reviews