Apple Increases Account Security With Optional Two-Step Verification System for Apple IDs

MacRumors · Mar 21, 2013, 02:26 PM

Apple has implemented a new two-step verification system for Apple IDs (via 9to5Mac), adding an additional layer of protection for Apple accounts with an extra security code and a "trusted" device.

Quote:

Two-step verification will require you to verify your identity using one of your devices before you can make changes to your account or make an iTunes or App Store purchase from a new device.*You will also get a Recovery Key for safekeeping which you can use to access your account if you ever forget your password or lose your device.

Once enabled, the new system replaces the standard security questions that are asked before users make purchases on a new device and password resets can only be done from the designated iPhone or iPad.

As the recovery key is used in place of security questions, keeping it secure is of the utmost importance. A lost or forgotten key can be recovered with a trusted device and a password, just as a password can be recovered with a trusted device and a recovery key.

The verification system will request a password that has one letter, one number, one capital letter, and at least eight characters. If such a password is not already in use, users will need to wait three days to fully enable two-step verification. Users with an already compliant password can move on immediately to the next step.

A security code will be sent through SMS or using the Find My iPhone app, and during setup, users can choose a single trusted device. To begin the process, users can visit the Apple ID website to implement two-step verification.

Article Link: Apple Increases Account Security With Optional Two-Step Verification System for Apple IDs

kbt1020 · Mar 21, 2013, 02:27 PM

1234.....how did Apple know my security code!!???

Jsameds · Mar 21, 2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbt1020

1234.....how did Apple know my security code!!???

John Appleseed? Is that really you?

DEXTERITY · Mar 21, 2013, 02:29 PM

Can apple make it anymore annoying...geeez

Unggoy Murderer · Mar 21, 2013, 02:29 PM

Fantastic news! These sort of systems are really awesome, has saved me once with my Gmail account. Wish more companies would implement them!

GenesisST · Mar 21, 2013, 02:29 PM

As much as two-step authentic verification is annoying, I will turn it on, as I have for my other services.

ugahairydawgs · Mar 21, 2013, 02:30 PM

Good start.....need to push this out to iCloud logins too.

dannyyankou · Mar 21, 2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEXTERITY

Can apple make it anymore annoying...geeez

Perhaps you missed the part that it's optional?

Xavier · Mar 21, 2013, 02:31 PM

It can't hurt, can it?

GenesisST · Mar 21, 2013, 02:36 PM

Hmmm... not there for me... US-only or gradual deployment or both?

EDIT: And yes, my password is compliant...

nutmac · Mar 21, 2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenesisST

Hmmm... not there for me... US-only or gradual deployment or both?

Me neither. None of 3 Apple ID accounts that I have tried (all US) have two-step verification available.

Redbeard25 · Mar 21, 2013, 02:37 PM

They can't send the verification code via iMessage or email?

Zoolevation · Mar 21, 2013, 02:37 PM

Finally! Apple making progress on security.

rbrian · Mar 21, 2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbt1020

1234.....how did Apple know my security code!!???

That's the kind of code only an idiot would have on his luggage... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iW-8xPw3k

rhett7660 · Mar 21, 2013, 02:38 PM

Well I think this is good news. Annoying maybe but I would rather be annoyed by this than someone getting my CC info and then having to fight the credit card companies and the credit score agencies.

needfx · Mar 21, 2013, 02:38 PM

as if 1234 is a safe pin code

Johnny Vegas · Mar 21, 2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyyankou

Perhaps you missed the part that it's optional?

Optional today, mandatory tomorrow. Even though online security is necessary, my hope is that it will be less annoying in the future.

~JV

rbrian · Mar 21, 2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vegas

Optional today, mandatory tomorrow. Even though online security is necessary, my hope is that it will be less annoying in the future.

~JV

iWatch perhaps...

fruitpunch.ben · Mar 21, 2013, 02:41 PM

Logged in to appleid.apple.com and can't find the option. Anyone know how the rollout is happening?

Squilly · Mar 21, 2013, 02:43 PM

Find My iPhone rings a bell... if your phone is lost, you're kinda ****ed.

GreXXL · Mar 21, 2013, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Initially, two-step verification is being offered in the U.S., UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Additional countries will be added over time.

Kind of Sucks ...
A feature yet not available over here!

jonAppleSeed · Mar 21, 2013, 02:44 PM

In before the google lovers claim Android had this first.
Apple gets it right!

jeffgao · Mar 21, 2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbeard25

They can't send the verification code via iMessage or email?

No, because an untrusted device can receive it.

Zoolevation · Mar 21, 2013, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fruitpunch.ben

Logged in to appleid.apple.com and can't find the option. Anyone know how the rollout is happening?

Its only available in the United States, UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.

techpr · Mar 21, 2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fruitpunch.ben

Logged in to appleid.apple.com and can't find the option. Anyone know how the rollout is happening?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5570

Mar 21, 2013, 02:27 PM	#2
kbt1020 macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2010	1234.....how did Apple know my security code!!??? __________________ One more thing...
	15

Mar 21, 2013, 02:29 PM	#5
Unggoy Murderer macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Livingston, Scotland	Fantastic news! These sort of systems are really awesome, has saved me once with my Gmail account. Wish more companies would implement them! __________________ 27" iMac, i7 3.4GHz, 16GB RAM 13" MBP 2.66 GHz, 8GB RAM 3rd Gen iPad 64 GB Wifi+4G, iOS 5.1 iPhone 5 32 GB, iOS 6.0 Mac Mini 2.00 GHz, 2GB RAM
	2

Mar 21, 2013, 02:29 PM	#6
GenesisST macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Where I live	As much as two-step authentic verification is annoying, I will turn it on, as I have for my other services. __________________ But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say he has an Android phone, an iPhone or no phone. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. - Thomas Jefferson
	4

Mar 21, 2013, 02:36 PM	#10
GenesisST macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Where I live	Hmmm... not there for me... US-only or gradual deployment or both? EDIT: And yes, my password is compliant... __________________ But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say he has an Android phone, an iPhone or no phone. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. - Thomas Jefferson
	1

Mar 21, 2013, 02:38 PM	#15
rhett7660 macrumors 604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny, Southern California	Well I think this is good news. Annoying maybe but I would rather be annoyed by this than someone getting my CC info and then having to fight the credit card companies and the credit score agencies. __________________ "It's quite an experience to hold the hand of someone as they move from living to dead." "Times are looking grim these days, holding on to everything, it's hard to draw the line"
	2

Mar 21, 2013, 02:29 PM	#4
DEXTERITY macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2004	Can apple make it anymore annoying...geeez
	0

Mar 21, 2013, 02:30 PM	#7
ugahairydawgs macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2010	Good start.....need to push this out to iCloud logins too.
	0

Mar 21, 2013, 02:31 PM	#9
Xavier macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbus	It can't hurt, can it?
	3

Mar 21, 2013, 02:37 PM	#12
Redbeard25 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2003	They can't send the verification code via iMessage or email?
	1

Mar 21, 2013, 02:37 PM	#13
Zoolevation macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Amsterdam	Finally! Apple making progress on security.
	2

Mar 21, 2013, 02:38 PM	#16
needfx macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: macrumors apparently	as if 1234 is a safe pin code
	0

Mar 21, 2013, 02:41 PM	#19
fruitpunch.ben macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hamilton, Ontario	Logged in to appleid.apple.com and can't find the option. Anyone know how the rollout is happening? __________________ 2009 iPhone 3G S⃣ 27" 2009 iMac i7 160 GB intel SSD 11" 2011 MacBook Air i7 1.8GHz, iPad 3rd Generation 64GB LTE iPhone 5 64GB Black
	0

Mar 21, 2013, 02:43 PM	#20
Squilly In Time-Out Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: PA	Find My iPhone rings a bell... if your phone is lost, you're kinda ****ed.
	1

Mar 21, 2013, 02:44 PM	#22
jonAppleSeed macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2013	In before the google lovers claim Android had this first. Apple gets it right!
	1

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