Reddit introduces two-factor authentication for accounts

Reddit has made a new account security feature available to its users, in the form of two-factor authentication. For example, a malicious person cannot log in, even if he has obtained a user’s password.

Reddit writes that it had been testing the feature for some time, for example among moderators. Now, however, the feature is available to every user of the platform. This can be enabled via the account settings that deal with the password and e-mail address. To use it, the account must be linked to a verified email address.

It is possible to use the feature with any app that supports totp. There are different variants of this; Reddit itself mentions Google Authenticator and Authy, both of which are suitable for iOS and Android. One of the differences is that Authy can create a backup so that, for example, it is easier to switch to a new device.

It is recommended that you create backup codes on Reddit if you are not able to log in using the phone, the company said. Once 2fa is enabled, an additional six-digit code must be entered when logging in.

Reddit is quite late in adopting this security measure, which has already been introduced by many other major internet companies. However, not everyone uses it. For example, Google recently reported that less than ten percent of its Gmail accounts are secured with two-factor authentication.