Two-factor authentication is finally coming to PlayStation Network

Update 4/21: A Sony representative confirmed that two-factor authentication is indeed coming to PlayStation network.

Just last week I wrote about the tough time I was having with my PlayStation account. To make a long story short, someone added a PS Vita to my account, and proceeded to use my PayPal account to buy games. What happened after that was a bit of a mess, but the important takeaway from the experience was that there’s an easy way to secure accounts in 2016. It’s called two-factor authentication, and it’s finally coming to PlayStation.

If you’ve never used two-factor authentication before, it works just like it sounds. When you log into an account, you provide a username and password, and then use another device, usually a smartphone, to generate a code that’s shared between the second factor and the server. The code is like a second password that is created when needed, and usually expires within a minute or two. In order to access your account, an intruder needs both something you know, and something you have.

The feature’s impending deployment was noticed when PS3 users entered their password incorrectly after the latest update. There’s now a note on the error dialogue that mentions what Sony is calling two-step verification. It also mentions a device setup password, and it invites users to check their mobile phones for a text message. PlayStation already has iOS and Android apps, but text messages are much easier for the user. It also means if someone else tries to use your account, a text message will alert you.

More proof about #PSN 2-step verification. This is from PS3 after today's v4.80 update. pic.twitter.com/Kt4WbyGk6G

— Tuomas Tonteri (@tontsa) April 20, 2016

PlayStation Network joins most of the other major gaming networks, including Steam, Xbox Live, and Origin, in enabling some form of two-factor authentication. Probably well timed, too, considering the network has suffered a number of major disruptions and security breaches in the last few years.

Our contact at PlayStation confirmed the feature was in-bound, saying “In order to further safeguard our users and their accounts, we are preparing to offer a 2-step verification feature. More details will be shared at a later date.”

In the meantime, the best way to protect your precious gaming accounts is to frequently change passwords and use whatever security features are available to you. You could lose a lot more than your progress in Stardew Valley.