Amazon's home security company Ring is making changes to account security for all of it's customers.
Everyone who owns and uses the products is now required to set up two-factor authentication.
This is in reaction to people getting their accounts hacked into and their smart security equipment taken over in 2019.
Ring already offered this security method to customers before the scandal, but now all users need it when they log into their Ring accounts.
This added layer of security helps prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your Ring account, even if they have your username and password.
Every time you log in to your Ring account, you’ll get a one-time, six-digit code to verify your login attempt.
You’ll need to enter that code before Ring will let you access your account. The same goes for any Shared Users that you have on your account.
You can choose to get this one-time passcode via the email address you have listed on your Ring account or on your phone as a text message.
Ring says requiring this code will help ensure that the person trying to log into your account is you.
The mandatory second layer of verification started rolling out to users Tuesday.
Here are some things you can do to keep your account safe:
- Don’t reuse passwords
- Keep your phone numbers and email addresses up to date
- Add a PIN or passcode to your smartphone account
- Upgrade to the latest version of your apps and operating systems
- View and manage your trusted devices
- Add Shared Users to your Ring account instead of sharing your login details
Another update from Ring includes being about to opt out of sharing your information with third-party service providers in the Control Center part of the Ring app.
If you opt out, Ring will not share your information with companies that use it to target you with personalized ads, but you will likely still see non-personalized Ring ads.
