The Nintendo Switch console offers the option to enable Two Step Verification to add an extra layer of protection to one's account. This is a relatively easy process and is incredibly effective at keeping unwanted users out, so it is well worth what little time it takes to set up.
Many users have valuable information on their Nintendo Switch accounts, such as personal information, credit card numbers, or linked Paypal accounts. As such, protecting the account is important, and these days a simple password isn't cutting it anymore. Setting up two step verification is painless, risk free, and can make a huge difference in security.
Especially with recent reports that Nintendo Switch account breaches are on the rise, now is a good time to get started with two step verification. Those users that reported breaches claimed that even after changing their passwords, the breaches continued occuring, but setting up 2 Step Verification caused the breaches to stop altogether. Because this method relies on both a password as well as verification from one's smartphone device, it is much more difficult to hack into.
Nintendo Switch 2-Step Verification
Nintendo is investigating reports of Switch account breaches, but it's better to be safe than sorry. To start, users will need to login to their Nintendo account on the website and navigate to sign-in and security settings. From here, scroll down to find 2-Step Verification and click Edit, and then click 2-Step Verification Settings. Select the Send Email option and the user should receive an email from Nintendo shortly with a verification code. Simply enter this into the field on the Nintendo website and hit submit.
- Nintendo Website Login Here
Next, the user will need to download the Google Authenticator app, which is free and available on both Android and iOS. Using the app, scan the QR code on the Nintendo website and enter the 6 digit code that appears on the app into the Nintendo website. Copy the backup codes as these will allow the user to login if they don't have access to their smartphone and select okay. At this point, 2-step verification is set up on the account.
This will require the user to scan a QR code with their smartphone any time they want to login to their Nintendo account, which will result in an overall increase in security and a decrease in the likelihood of a breach. Many online services are moving towards this method, with Grand Theft Auto Online even requiring two step verification to get in game rewards.
The Nintendo Switch console is available now.
Source: Nintendo
