LinkedIn Corp unveils technology for improved security of users

01 Jun 2013

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LinkedIn Corp has unveiled technology for improving the security of the social networking site for professionals, about a week after Twitter introduced similar tools following attacks on high-profile users.

The optional service, called two-factor authentication, works to identify users as they log in by requiring them to enter numeric codes sent via text message.

LinkedIn introduced the service on Friday, about a year after a highly publicised breach that compromised passwords of millions of its users. The company came in for criticism at the time, with some security experts faulting the firm, saying it had failed to use best practices to secure its passwords.

The site's 225 million users have been provided instructions on how to turn on the optional service at linkd.in/1aRFV3D.

In a recent move Twitter transitioned to a two-step authentication process with other major sites such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft following closely behind. LinkedIn has become the latest member to join the club.

Two-step authentication or verification offers greater security due to the requirement of the code sent by SMS that would be required to access the account. It would reduce the number of unauthorised sign-ins on the account as only the user would know about the second factor.

The user though retains the option to keep the password-only login or to migrate to a two-step authentication security setting. In the event of the user seeking to migrate, he would need to set up his account via Settings, Manage Security settings, and selecting Turn On for two-step verification.

After turning on the two-step authentication setting, the user would be asked to key in his mobile number, where he would be sent the verification code.

As per data from Quantcast, a digital advertising firm, around 21.4 million US users visit the site monthly and 47.6 million globally.

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