2Factor.co.uk: free guides to two-factor authentication
Our own community project · Online safety · 2025 · 2factor.co.uk
2Factor.co.uk is a free website we built and run as part of our community work. It explains two-factor authentication (2FA) in plain English and walks people through switching it on for the accounts they use every day.
Why we built it
Too many people still protect their email, banking and social media with only a password. Passwords get stolen through phishing emails, data breaches and scams, and once a criminal has one they can often walk straight in. Two-factor authentication adds a second check, such as a code on your phone, so a stolen password isn’t enough on its own.
Most people who don’t use 2FA simply don’t know how to turn it on. Every service hides the setting in a different menu, and the help pages assume you’re technical. For residents, charities and small businesses without IT staff, that’s often enough to put it off for good.
What’s on it
- Step-by-step guides for Google and Gmail, Microsoft, Facebook, Instagram and Amazon UK, with numbered steps that follow what you see on screen.
- A plain-English explainer of what 2FA is and why it matters.
- A comparison of the options. Authenticator apps, text messages, email codes, security keys, biometrics, bank card readers, push notifications and password managers, each with pros, cons and who it suits.
- Free to use, with no sign-up.
Why it matters to us
As a Community Interest Company, part of our job is helping people in the West Midlands stay safe online. 2Factor.co.uk is free for anyone, including the residents, charities and small businesses we support. We explained why we built it in April 2025: Protect yourself online.
Related: IT support for businesses · Community Impact
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