Nest Beefs Up Security With Two-Factor Authentication

Privacy and security are two of the greatest concerns consumers have when it comes to upgrading their home with smart gadgets. That’s especially true when it comes to installing smart cameras inside the home, as the average consumer is unlikely to want any peeping Toms connecting to their camera. As part of a campaign to increase security on such devices, Nest is finally adding two-factor authentication to its account security options.

Two-factor authentication is becoming popular with those concerned about security. That’s because even if someone manages to gain access to an account using the password, they still won’t be able to access any sensitive information unless they have the second part of the puzzle. Facebook, Twitter, Google and Microsoft have all used two-factor authentication for more secure logins for a while, with each offering numerous ways of receiving the second part of the puzzle. That includes receiving a text message with a numeric code, an app that generates a unique password or even a notification on a user’s smartphone that allows them to confirm the login.

Nest’s two-factor authentication set-up isn’t exactly new. The company has chosen to go down the text message route, meaning whenever a user attempts to login to a Nest account, a text message will be sent to the owner’s smartphone with a code to confirm the login. That means there will be no strange temperature changes or prying eyes on security cameras for those users who have two-factor authentication set up.

To get started with two-factor authentication, users will need to login to the Nest app. From there they will need to tap the menu icon in the top left of the screen. The category ‘Account Security’ should be on this screen, with an option to activate two-step authentication. Once it’s enabled, the app will automatically log the user out and force them to sign-in again, this time a text message code will be required to log back in.

Nest has been criticised for its slow adoption of two-factor authentication, although the company hit back by claiming that it is one of the first smart tech manufacturers to introduce the option.