How to set up multi-factor authentication for your Yahoo! account

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

Do you or your employees use a Yahoo! account for email or any other purpose? 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 Yahoo! account.

Step by Step: Set up MFA for your Yahoo! Account 

You can set up MFA for your Yahoo! account on either your computer or your mobile device.

Setting up MFA on your computer

You first need to login to your Yahoo! account and then follow the below steps:

1. In the top right corner of the screen click on your user icon
2. Then click on Settings
3. Using the menu on the left-hand side, select Account security
4. Scroll down and find Two-step verification and click the toggle to turn it on
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the additional authorisations

Setting up MFA on your mobile device

Open your Yahoo! app and then make sure you are logged in before completing the following steps:

1. Click the user icon
2. Then find Settings and then click Manage Accounts
3. Next, click Account Info on the account you wish to set up MFA
4. Find Security Settings and tap it
5. Enter your credentials or use Touch ID or Face ID
6. Next to Two-step verification hit the toggle to turn it on
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the additional authorisation

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].