Anita Li2013-04-24 06:12:59 UTC
Twitter is currently testing two-factor authentication, and plans to roll it out to users soon, according to a report.
The microblogging network is conducting internal tests before gradually debuting the security measure site-wide, Wired reported Tuesday night.
Also known as "two-step verification," two-factor authentication prevents fraud by forcing users to provide two pieces of information that will verify their identity. Bank customers, for example, must provide both a physical card and PIN number.
The reports come just after The Associated Press' Twitter account (using the handle @AP) was hacked earlier Tuesday. A tweet sent from the account falsely alleged that there were two explosions in the White House, and that U.S. President Barack Obama had been injured. Hackers called the Syrian Electronic Army took credit for the incident.
Calls for Twitter to enforce two-factor authentication were swift and strong, with many commentators — including Mashable's Lance Ulanoff — saying the security measure is necessary to prevent further hacking incidents.
Back in February, Twitter posted a software engineering job related to product security. It listed designing and developing user-facing security features "such as multifactor authentication and fraudulent login detection" as part of the position's opportunities.
For its part, Google also has an option to apply two-factor authentication. When signing in, users must enter their username and password — but in addition, Google will send them a security code via text, voice call or mobile app, which they then must enter when prompted.
Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Do you think Twitter needs two-factor authentication? Give us your take in the comments, below.
Image courtesy of Flickr, marlonolram
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