Twitter has begun implementing a series of security improvements on its platform through the rollout of an optional ‘login verification service’ to stop hackers seeking to hijack accounts with stolen passwords.
According to a post by Jim O’Leary from Twitter’s product security team on Twitter’s blog the security features will include a two-factor authentication process.
“When you sign in to twitter.com, there’s a second check to make sure it’s really you. You’ll be asked to register a verified phone number and a confirmed email address,” read a statement from the blog.
Twitter says the login verification features introduced are a result of users complaining their accounts had been compromised by email phishing schemes or a breach of password data.
To beef up security on personal user accounts Twitter users will be required tovisit their account settings and select ‘require a verification code when I sign in’.
From here they will be required to click on the link ‘add a phone’, follow the prompts and enter a six digit code that will be sent to their phones via SMS each time they login.
To sign in to Twitter on other devices and apps users will be required to visit the applications page to generate a temporary password to login and authorise the application.
The company has cautioned that the service might however fail to work with some network operators.
“This release is built on top of Twitter via SMS, so we need to be able to send a text to your phone before you can enroll in login verification (which may not work with some cell phone providers),” the company said.
Twitter has also further secured the accounts of prominent media outlets. Among those boosted by the increased security include the Associated Press, the Financial Times and The Onion, reported Reuters.
