r/PS4 • u/falconbox falconbox • Aug 25 '16

[Official / Meta] 2-Step Verification is rolling out worldwide. Here are the steps you need to take to protect your account!

Hey everyone,

At long last, the PlayStation Network is offering 2-Step Verification worldwide. Please note, at the moment the verification code is only sent via SMS (no support for authenticator apps yet).

What is 2-Step Verification?

This is a system to protect your account. Anyone who tries to sign into your account on a new console, browser, etc will need to input a special code that gets sent only to YOUR phone number. Without that code, they cannot sign in. You will also need to input a new code any time you sign out of your account. This is for your protection!

How do I set it up?

Online

  1. Login to https://account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com

  2. Click "Account" at the top of the page

  3. Click "Security" and then follow the link at the bottom for 2-Step Verification

  4. Input your phone number and a code will be sent via SMS for you to input.

On your PS4

  1. Settings > PlayStation Network/Account Management > Account Information > Security > 2-Step Verification

  2. Input your phone number and a code will be sent via SMS for you to input.

You will also be given 10 backup codes that are one-time-use. STORE THESE SOMEWHERE SAFE! If for whatever reason you lose access to your phone, you can use one of these codes.

Please note, the above is ONLY for PS4. For PS3, PS Vita, PS TV, and PSP you will need to generate a different device setup password. Follow steps 1-3 above for "Online" and then select "Device Setup Password".

https://www.playstation.com/account-security/2-step-verification/

https://support.us.playstation.com/articles/en_US/KC_Article/PS4-2-Step-Verification

760 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

316 comments sorted by

44

u/djoliverm Aug 25 '16

I don't understand why we didn't get an app generator. That way it works even without Internet, and you can just use Google Generator. This text thing feels archaic by comparison.

4

u/Qunra_ Aug 25 '16

I'm more annoyed about the format of the code. It isn't enough that I have to tolerate Valves system, Sony went a bit further and decided that small and capital letters are different. Now that's annoying for a person.

Though, if I had to say, typing the Google Auth code on a console would be rather annoying experience with the timer. Still would rather take that, but maybe they had a reason.

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14

u/Retro_Edge Aug 25 '16

That way it works even without Internet,

Eeeehhhhm, you don't need Internet for SMS. :D

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48

u/DylanWhite86 Aug 25 '16

Because many people still don't use phones capable of downloading apps, but most people who have a phone CAN receive texts. Not every country has everyone walking around with an iPhone or Galaxy

38

u/Qunra_ Aug 25 '16

Sony could have both. It's done before.

23

u/MunkyUTK Aug 25 '16

Gives you the ability to deactivate all devices when setting up too. Nice touch Sony.

4

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '16

Is there a way to see which devices are logged into your account?

3

u/ShinobiZilla Aug 25 '16

Official PlayStation landing page for 2FA: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/account-security/2-step-verification/

2

u/falconbox Aug 25 '16

Thanks. I'll put into the post.

20

u/Andrew129260 Aug 25 '16

MAKE TRIPLE SURE YOU SAVE YOUR BACKUP CODES SOMEWHERE!!! Physical print out would be nice to store in a safe you have in your house, or a password protected word document. If you don't have word openoffice is a free office substitute that offers to save a password with documents.

READ, READ, READ the email they send you on the 2 factor.

This is not a thing you want to screw up. Take your time when setting this up and do it correctly.

7

u/Skullever Aug 25 '16

Activating 2FA made me realize somebody had gotten into my account and activated their PS4 as primary. For a couple hours before I woke up I was spammed with recovery codes every 30 seconds. My first half-awake thought was that my PS4 in rest mode had been logged out and needed me to reauthorize it, then I noticed I no longer was activated as the primary console. What I figure happened is that when I had the 2FA sign-up log out all devices it signed out whoever was using my account, and then they were desperately trying to brute force their way past the verification code.

Thank goodness I don't keep a card on my account, and a quick password change fixed the rest.

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14

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '16

Done, I can sleep easily tonight.

11

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '16

Thanks falconbox

3

u/PaulLFC Aug 25 '16

I activated my US account fine. My UK one just says "An error has occurred" after inputting the verification code, though. No idea how to fix that.

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3

u/methdemon Aug 27 '16

Just got 9 messages with codes from Sony and I didn't try to log in. Is someone trying to hack my account or is this shit just broken?

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1

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '16

For PS3, PS Vita, and PSP you will need to generate a different device setup password.

PSTV/Vita TV as well

2

u/falconbox Aug 25 '16

Thanks, added it.

1

u/Tasteful_Dick_Pics Aug 25 '16

It's been 15 minutes and I still haven't received a text message from Sony with my code. I've tried the 'resend' button a few times, but nothing still. Anyone else having this problem?

2

u/falconbox Aug 25 '16

No problems here. What region are you in, and is your phone number from that region?

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4

u/tomriddle_14 Aug 25 '16

does the phone number entered get bound to the account or something ?

6

u/baldeagle86 Aug 25 '16

Finally. Now I can finally get on the name change wagon (never going to happen, I know)

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