Apple adds two-step verification to enhance user security

Apple has introduced its two-step verification process in India to keep user accounts safe from hackers. The verification process would also be rolled out across 47 other countries. The company, last year, announced the security measure for customers in the US, the UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and followed it up in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and Spain.

It is only now that the same feature is being introduced in other countries in which the iPhone maker has a presence. However, according to 9to5Mac, some of the nations included in the roster of countries which were getting Apple two-step verification, already seemed to have got it unofficially a year ago.

The two-step verification process is triggered when users sign in with their Apple ID to manage the account or access support for it and also when they attempt to purchase App Store, iTunes or iBooks Store content from a new device. It can be activated by signing in to their account, clicking on Password and Security, then Trusted Devices and finally, Manage.

At this point, users would be asked to provide their mobile number so that whenever they logged in to their Apple ID to, it would also ask them for the temporary code sent via text to their registered iOS device.

Providing two-step verification would raise the security bar by using an additional layer of security. In addition to the password, users would need to enter a computer generated security pin from an additional secondary device, while logging into their user account.

Even if hackers accessed a physical access to a user device, they would not be able to access a user account without having their secondary device, which made their account more secure when compared to the ordinary method of signing into their account.

Users would be familiar with two-step verification in their Google account, as Google had built a reputation for security with the help of two-step verification.

Apple said in its FAQ, "As a basic security measure, Apple does not allow two-step verification setup to proceed if any significant changes have recently been made to your account information. Significant changes can include a password reset or new security questions. This waiting period helps Apple ensure that you are the only person accessing or modifying your account. While you are in this waiting period, you can continue using your account as usual with all Apple services and stores."