How to set up multi-factor authentication for your LinkedIn account

App/system: LinkedIn account
Learn: How to set up multi-factor authentication
Skill level: Beginner
Read time: 3 minutes

Do you or your employees use LinkedIn for personal or business activities? If yes, have you considered the security vulnerabilities this opens up for your business?

Cyber attacks are estimated to cost an average of £4200 per business. From July 2021 to July 2022, 39% of UK businesses identified a cyber attack against them. By far the most common (83%) was phishing attempts, where hackers try to access employee passwords or other log-in information.

Information above is taken from the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022.

Why is multi-factor authentication important?

Many of us still use only a basic, password based authentication to access email, Google, Microsoft and social media accounts, despite plenty of evidence that passwords are easily and regularly hacked. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) takes moments to set up and makes it much harder for hackers to gain access.

Think of your password as the first ‘layer’ of your security. If you add a second ’layer’ this increases the work required to ‘break-in’ and hack the account. Further, this second layer may involve a fingerprint scan, another device or generating a limited-time code and is therefore much harder to steal or falsify than a password. MFA improves account security and better protects you and your organisation from anyone trying to access information they shouldn’t.

Read on for our guide to walk you through setting up MFA for your LinkedIn account.

Step by Step: Set up MFA for your LinkedIn Account

You can set up MFA for LinkedIn on either your mobile or computer and the process for setting it up differs slightly from one to other.

If you set up MFA on one device, you may still need to set it up on others.

Setting up MFA on your computer

You first need to open your browser, head to LinkedIn and log in to your account. Then complete the following steps:

1. In the top right of the screen, click Me
2. From the drop-down menu, click Settings & Privacy
3. Scroll down the to Login and Security section
4. Find Two-Step Verification and click Change to turn it on
5. LinkedIn may ask you to verify your identify by entering your password or a one-time verification code
6. Follow the steps on screen to add the additional authorisations

Setting up MFA on your mobile device

Go to the LinkedIn mobile app and login to your account. Then complete the following steps:

1. Click on your profile picture in the top left-hand corner of the screen
2. Click on it again to take you to your profile
3. In the top right of the screen tap the Cog icon
4. Select the Privacy tab
5. Scroll down and find Two-Step Verification
6. Tap Set Up and follow the on-screen instructions

Continue your cyber security journey

MFA is a critical part of securing your personal and business data, but it’s by no means the only step you need to take.

If you’re concerned about IT security for your business, get in touch with our friendly team to find out more. Call 01732 600 170 or email [email protected].