2-step verification and VK Connect
Protect your VK Connect account from hackers by using 2-step verification for confirming login. This is a serious protection method, so you need to use it carefully. Below, you can find recommendations on how to avoid losing access to your account while trying to prevent it from being hacked.
Protect your VK Connect account from hackers by using 2-step verification for confirming login. This is a serious protection method, so you need to use it carefully. Below, you can find recommendations on how to avoid losing access to your account while trying to prevent it from being hacked.
Why is it called “2-step”?
To provide an extra layer of security, 2-step verification adds another login step. In addition to your login and password, you’ll need to enter a special combination of digits sent to a linked phone number or obtained from a code-generating app. This way, it’s like your account is behind two locked doors.
If someone steals your password, they still won’t be able to gain access to your account without your phone. The same is true if your SIM card is stolen; to recover your password, you’ll get an email instead of an SMS. To access your account, the hacker will need to find out your password, steal your SIM card and get into your email.
You will make things even more difficult for hackers if you set strong passwords for your VK Connect account and email, and your phone is protected with a code or other unlocking method. It’s almost impossible to hack an account with that level of security.
Remember that enabling 2-step verification will also make it harder to recover access to your account. You won’t be able to have your password sent to your phone. Instead, you’ll have to submit a request to confirm your identity.
How does it work?
You can enable 2-step verification by going to connect.vk.com/account/#security, and selecting 2-step verification. As soon as you do this, a “Backup codes” section will appear in the menu. That is where one-time codes are stored which can be used, for example, if your phone is dead and you can’t get a code from it. We recommend that you print this list and keep it in a safe place.
When 2-step verification is enabled, after entering your login and password, you’ll have to use a confirmation code. You can get it in one of the following ways:
- Free SMS or confirmation call to the phone number linked to your account
- Push notification to your phone
- Code-generating app on your phone vk.cc/3SKsGl (iOS) and vk.cc/2unule (Android). You can set up the app in your security settings.
If none of these methods are available, you can enter one of the backup codes that were saved earlier.
A confirmation code can only be used once. So even if someone views or finds out your login, password and the code that was used previously, they still can’t use them to log into your VK Connect account again.
After you enter the confirmation code, the system will remember your browser, which means that you won’t have to enter a code again. If this isn’t your device, deselect the Remember browser checkbox before you log in.
At any time, you can disable 2-step verification on all devices or only on the current one. This means that the next time you try to log in, you’ll be prompted to enter a confirmation code again.
If someone tries to log into your account, you’ll get an email notification.
Important to know before enabling 2-step verification
- A current email address and phone number must be linked to your account. If you only link a phone number, it won’t be possible to recover your password using vk.com/restore. You’ll have to submit a request that includes a photo ID.
- Make sure your account has a real photo of you in which your face is clearly visible. Without a photo, we won’t be able to identify you as the account’s owner and help you to recover access if something goes wrong in the previous step.
If you follow this simple advice, 2-step verification will be a reliable defense, protecting your data from hackers.