In a bid to ensure the security of developer’s account from iniquitous activities, Apple on 13th February 2019 announced two-factor authentication mandatory for all app makers to protect their Apple IDs. Designed to keep the Apple developer accounts safe & secure, the change is deemed significant and is known to be effective on February 27th 2019.
Users who are allied to Apple Developer Program are being informed about this added security feature via emails with the subject line “Two-Factor Authentication Required Soon”. The email compels developers to implement two-factor authentication latest by 27th February 2019. The sudden measure ensures the access of sensitive information only to account holders & hence prevent data breach. This enhanced security feature is also applicable for Developer Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles.
The extra layer of protection implemented on macOS or iOS ensures that:
Every login attempt on an unregistered device would require a password or a six-digit code, generated & sent by Apple to trusted iPhone, iPad or Mac.
The verification code is not required when user accesses Apple ID from a trusted device unless they have completely signed out or erased the device.
Those who are in the admin role can still manage profiles & certificates without enabling the security feature.
Advantages of this Two-Step Authentication Feature for Apple developer accounts
As security breaches continue to evolve, safeguarding devices against these threats is deemed utmost important. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, hackers have become more sophisticated & it is quite easier for them to crack passwords, identify system vulnerabilities & break into someone’s device. Hence relying on passwords alone to protect devices is a bad idea.
Two factor authentication(2FA) is the need of the hour for better security of devices. 2FA is a security method that requires two different factors for verifying user’s authenticity. Besides using regular passwords, the second verification step rechecks if the user is authentic or not.
If an intruder manages to steal your primary set of credentials, 2FA inhibits the invasion of the device by the threat actors. It is because the second factor – verification code is required to complete the login process successfully. In this way 2FA solution prevents breaches.
Two-factor authentication however isn’t foolproof & there are risks associated with it. Even with these downsides, using two-factor authentication is miles better than going without it. Moreover, research reveals that 80% of security breaches occurring over internet can be easily prevented with 2FA security solution.
How to set up two-factor authentication for your Apple developer accounts?
To enable Apple’s two-factor authentication feature on iPhone, iPad, iPod follow these steps:
For iOS version 10.3 or later:
- Navigate to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
- Click on Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
- Tap on Continue
For iOS version 10.2 or earlier:
- Navigate to Settings > iCloud.
- Tap your Apple ID > Password & Security.
- Click on Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
- Click on Continue
You might be asked to answer your Apple ID security questions.
After enabling the 2FA feature on your device, you are landed on a screen where you need to enter the phone number where you wish to receive verification codes when you sign in. You can also choose to receive the codes by automated phone calls or text messages.
Steps to follow to enable 2FA on your MAC with OS X EI Captian or later
- Navigate to Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details.
- Click on Security
- Click on Turn On Two-Factor Authentication
Few Apple IDs with iOS version10.3 or macOS 10.12.4 and later are protected with 2FA by default.
If you already use two-step verification for Apple developer accounts and want to update, turn it off, then turn on two-factor authentication.
In case your account doesn’t support two-factor authentication feature, you can still use two-step verification to protect your information.
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