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PlayStation Users Will Soon Have 2 Factor Authentication: Report

PlayStation Users Will Soon Have 2-Factor Authentication: Report

By Akhil Arora | Updated: 21 April 2016 14:53 IST

Highlights

The feature was first spotted after gamers upgraded to PS3’s new firmware.
Sony hasn’t said when two-step verification will arrive.
Codes will be sent via text message only.

Sony is finally planning to give millions of its PlayStation users the better security they deserve with the introduction of two-factor authentication.

(Also see: PS4K Games Will Run at 1080p Minimum)

"In order to further safeguard our users and their accounts, we are preparing to offer a 2-step verification feature," a Sony representative told Polygon. "More details will be shared at a later date."

The possibility of such a feature first came to light when a Twitter user posted a photo after running into login issues after the release of a new update for the PlayStation 3, numbered 4.80. If you enter incorrect login details, the system prompts: "The sign-in ID or password is not correct," as you would expect it to. But it then follows it up with: "If 2-step verification is active, you must enter a device setup password into the [Password] field. Check your mobile phone for a text message about your Sony Entertainment Network account."

There is no word on when the feature will arrive, but it does seem to be on its way. According to the information above, it seems Sony won't be providing two-factor authentication via the use of a third-party app, such as Google Authenticator, or provide codes through its own app, such as Steam Guard.

(Also see: The PS4K Is Codenamed NEO, Specifications Leaked)

But something is surely better than nothing for the 110 million users of the PlayStation Network who are currently only protected by their password. Should PSN get hacked - as it did for 77 million accounts back in 2011 - it would put a large majority at risk again. This is where two-factor authentication helps as a hacker would then need physical access to your phone to get into your account.

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