I’m baffled: I went to sign in to Facebook yesterday from my boyfriend’s computer and rather than just log me in with my login and password it prompted me for a “security code”. Does he have some malware or is my account hacked or something?
Nothing’s wrong. In fact, at some point in the past you set up 2-step verification for your Facebook account, which was a super smart thing to do. It means that to get into your account on a new computer (like one a hacker might use after stealing your account credentials) you’ll need to know your login, your password and have access to your cellphone because Facebook is going to send a secret code via text message to your phone. Without that, you can’t log in. So you could share your password with hackers without worry (though note that I am not encouraging this behavior!)
Problem is, if you’ve signed up for this service and use the same computers week in and week out, you can completely forget that it’s enabled and end up worrying that something’s broken or that someone’s hacked your account. Ironically, you’ve done something to ensure it’s safer, and your reaction is that you’re worried it’s compromised. Ah, ain’t computers fun?
Since I too have a security code enabled (aka 2-step verification) for my Facebook account, I see the same thing when I use an unknown computer to log in.
It looks like this:
So how do you proceed from here? Well, you could (ahem) click on the “Having trouble?” link, but if you’re worried that something’s compromised, well, I can understand your lack of enthusiasm for trusting a link on a screen you fear might be hacked in the first place.
Here’s what you do: Simply launch the Facebook app on your phone. If you’re logged in, it automatically detects that you’re in a “waiting for security code” state in a browser and shows this:
Enter the code and you’re in. In fact, Facebook will then ask if it’s a safe system and should remember the browser and computer configuration:
If you’re worried that you won’t always have your smartphone with you, by the way, you can also get some other codes you can save in your purse or wallet for emergency use, as FB reminds you in the next window:
So that’s the scoop, and now you know how to find your security code and what it’s all about. It’s a good thing. Better login security is always good.
If you’d rather disable it – and I don’t recommend it – you can start by going to your Account Settings:
Then go to “Security” and look for the “Login Approvals” entry:
To change it, click on “Edit” and here’s what you’ll see:
If you really want to disable security code / login approval for your Facebook account, simply uncheck “Require a security code to access my account from unknown browsers” and click “Save Changes”. That’s all there is to it.
How do I log into Facebook when it asks me for a code? The only way to get the code is to already be logged in on a different device, but all devices are asking me for the code. I didn’t set up two-factor authentication, I have no idea why it’s asking me this. Now I can’t get on Facebook at all.
Still would like to have a pin number i am not a computer expert or a telephone expert
i am saying that on Google for sign in you asked the code but i forgotten so you sent me a new code through an e-mail which i have received on Google and now i write that code but you can not accept that i do not know that why ?
dear, all is well, but, i dont have that cell phone and also that sim. how to get security code???
My son has loggd b fbook from my phone hundreds of time now he need a code he dont have his password to his yahoo acoount how can he get coded
I completely understand 2-step verification. I just switched computers and now every time I login to FB (and Hotmail as well), I’m asked for a security code – even after I check “Save Browser” (or “Don’t ask me again, I sign in from this computer often” for Hotmail). This didn’t happen with my old computer and I don’t think it should be happening now. Thoughts?
I’m wondering if you’re being given a different IP address each time you boot up from your ISP, Peidan, so that the two-step verification gets your approval of the device, but it’s always a diff IP… ?
Why is my Instagram keep asking me for a SICURITY code and doesn’t let me like no pic or comment or post please help
Fb told me my session had expired. So it asked for a security code in which my number is on my page but it’s saying it’s not attached to my acct. So the security code doesn’t come to my phone. So I’m locked out. What do I do now?
Hi Wilbur. Were you able toncome up with a solution? I am in the same situation and completely locked out of my account.
Thanks!