Good news for PlayStation video gamers, as Sony finally rolls out extra security for it users this week with the introduction of two-step authentication (2SV)
It really is about time, since Sony’s rivals, as well as many other online services, have introduced features like 2SV or other forms of multi-factor authentication for some time. And given Sony’s not-so-stellar past with keeping hackers at bay, this extra security feature – which is entirely optional – is a long time coming.
So what does this mean?
Two-step verification/authentication basically means that users can enable an additional layer of security on their accounts by associating their mobile device to their account, so anytime their account is logged into on a different device or location, a code sent via SMS needs to be entered into the account along with the traditional username and password combination. Alternatively you can also use a special app on the mobile phone to generate the code.
This makes it especially hard for criminals to gain access to these accounts, since not only do they need to know the password, but they also need the code sent via SMS as well.
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2SV is often used synonymously with 2FA, or two-factor authentication, though purists will argue that 2FA means combining different factors, i.e. something you know (e.g. password) with something you have or are (e.g. a bank card or fingerprint) and because 2SV in this instance means having both a password and a code (both something you know) it is not true multi-factor authentication.
Either way its good news and we strongly recommend that if you take your PSN video game account seriously, that you get on and enable the 2SV feature straight away.