Protect your Gmail account from unauthorized access using 2-Step verification

Google has recently launched – 2-Step Verification - to improve the account security. 2-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your Google Account by requiring you to have access to your phone – as well as your username and password – when you sign in. This means that if someone steals or guesses your password, the potential hijacker still can't sign in to your account because they don't have your phone.

How does it work

1. When you want to access Google products from your browser, go to that product and enter your username and password.



2. You'll next be prompted to enter your verification code, which you'll get from your phone. You'll only have to do this once every 30 days if you so choose.

How to get started

Go to your Accounts settings page new window and look for the Using 2-step verification link. If you have the link, click it and start the setup process.

Register non-browser Applications

Soon after you turn on 2-step verification, non-browser applications and devices that use your Google Account (such as Gmail on your phone or Outlook), will stop working. You'll then have to sign in using your username and a special password you generate for this application. (Don't worry, you'll only have to do this once for each device or application.)

You can register them from following url:
https://www.google.com/accounts/IssuedAuthSubTokens

It's an extra step, but it's one that greatly improves the security of your Google Account because it requires the powerful combination of both something you know—your username and password—and something that only you should have—your phone.