Google 2-Step Verification

About 2-Step Verification

Check out Google's information page about 2-Step Verification

Signing in to your account will work a little differently

1. You'll enter your password. Whenever you sign in to Google, you'll enter your password as usual.
2. You'll be asked for something else. Then, a code will be sent to your phone via text, voice call, or the Google authenticator app.

Keep sign-in simple

During sign-in, you can choose not to use 2-Step Verification again on that particular computer. From then on, that computer will only ask for your password when you sign in. You'll still be covered, because when you or anyone else tries to sign in to your account from another computer, 2-Step Verification will be required. Once every 30 days however you will need to re-enter a verification code.

Initial Setup

1. Sign into My Account
2. In the “Sign-in & security” section, select Signing in to Google
3. Choose 2-Step Verification. This will bring you to the 2-Step Verification settings page
4. Click Start setup »
5. Enter your mobile phone number and click “Send code”
6. On the next page, enter the code that was sent to your mobile phone via text.
7. Click Verify
8. Make sure that the “Trust this computer” box is selected if you are on your personal or work computer. If you are on a public computer, deselect the checkbox.
9. Click Next
10. Click Confirm

Now you are on the 2-Step Verification settings page.

Backup Plan

It is important to have a backup plan in case your mobile phone is not available to verify your login. There are multiple ways to do this, and it is imperative that you set up at least one.

Backup Codes

One way of verifying your login without your mobile phone is via backup codes. Backup codes are especially useful for people who travel, have problems receiving SMS or voice calls, or cannot use the Google Authenticator mobile app. Google will generate ten eight-digit codes at a time. Each code can only be used once to gain access to your account. It is recommended that you print or write the codes somewhere that only you have access to or would notice if it was lost (e.g. your wallet).

TIP: Write the codes in the format of a phone number so that that no one will know what they are. E.g. 8294 9275 could be written as 829-492-7500 (with the trailing zeros to fill space).

To get your backup codes:

1. Go to the 2-Step Verification settings page
2. Scroll down to the Backup codes section
3. Click on Print or Download
4. A new window/tab will open with your ten backup codes. Each code has a check box next to it. Since the codes can only be used once, you can keep track of which codes you used by checking them off.
5. Either print, save, or carefully copy down the backup codes somewhere safe. If you use a password manager (e.g. 1Password), you can store the codes in a secure note.
6. If you use all of your codes, you can click on the “Generate new codes” button. Once you click this button, any old unused codes will not work.

Backup Numbers

If you have a second phone number (e.g. home land line) you can set it up as your backup number. If your phone is ever unavailable (for example, misplaced, out of battery, damaged), you can have your code sent to your backup phone.

To add a backup number:

1. Go to the 2-Step Verification settings page
2. Scroll down to “Backup numbers”
3. Enter your phone number
4. Select text message or voice call
5. Send a code to test the phone

Get Codes via Mobile App

Instead of getting your code via a text message or phone call, you can generate codes using Google's mobile app.

1. Go to the 2-Step Verification settings page
2. Scroll down to “Get codes via our mobile app instead”
3. Click “Switch to app”
4. Select the type of smartphone that you have
5. Follow the instructions to download the Google Authenticator app onto your phone and scan the barcode
6. Verify that it is working by entering a code generated by the app and click Verify and Save

Change Phone Number

If you need to change your phone number:

1. Go to the 2-Step Verification settings page
2. Click on “Edit” next to your phone number
3. Follow the instructions to change your phone number

Setup Without a Cell Phone

Overview: Setup 2-Step Verification with Bigelow phone direct phone number (not your extension). After the initial setup, use a combination of backup codes (see above) and a security key. The security key is a small usb device that you plug into your computer. When signing into gmail, you can press the button on the key as your second verification step.

Step 1: Set up 2-Step Verification

• Unordered List ItemFollow steps for “Initial Setup” using a phone number that IT will supply you with. You will need to coordinate with IT so that the phone number is temporarily forwarded to your extension.

Step 2: Set up security key

1. From your gmail page, click on the icon in the top-right corner
2. Click the blue My Account button
3. Click Sign-in & security
4. Scroll down and click on 2-Step Verification
5. Click on the “Security Keys” tab
6. Click “Add Security Key”
7. Click “Register”
8. Plug in your security key and press the button on it once
9. When it is registered, click “Done”

All set. Now, once every 30 days (or when using a new computer/browser) gmail will ask you to plug in your security key and press the button when signing in.

Use Email via an App (Mac Mail or iOS Mail)

Mac

1. open system preferences
2. click on Internet Accounts
3. select your Bigelow account
4. click the “-” button in the bottom bar to delete the account
5. click the “+” button in the bottom bar
6. follow instructions to add your Google account. You will be prompted for your email address, passphrase (not an app-specific password!), and a code that will be texted to you.

iOS

1. open settings
2. tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars
3. tap your Bigelow account
4. tap Delete Account
5. tap Add Account
6. tap Google
7. follow instructions to add your Google account. You will be prompted for your email address, passphrase (not an app-specific password!), and a code that will be texted to you.