How to Change Your Yahoo Security Settings: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s digital age, securing your online accounts is paramount. Yahoo, being one of the oldest and most widely used email services, offers various security settings to ensure your account remains protected. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to change your Yahoo security settings, ensuring your information stays safe and secure.

Log into Your Yahoo Account

1. Open Your Browser: Begin by opening your preferred web browser.
2. Visit Yahoo: Navigate to the Yahoo homepage by typing www.yahoo.com in the address bar.
3. Sign In: Click on the “Sign In” button located at the top right corner of the page.
4. Enter Credentials: Input your Yahoo email address and password, then click “Next.”

Access Account Security Settings

1. Navigate to Account Info: Once logged in, click on your profile name or avatar at the top right corner and select “Account Info” from the dropdown menu.
2. Go to Account Security: In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Account Security.”

Update Your Password

1. Change Password: Click on “Change password.”
2. Create a New Password: Enter your new password. Ensure it is strong by using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
3. Confirm New Password: Re-enter the new password for confirmation.
4. Save Changes: Click “Continue” to save your new password.

Enable Two-Step Verification

1. Two-Step Verification: Under the “Account Security” section, find the “Two-step verification” option and click on it.
2. Set Up Verification: Enter your mobile number and click “Send SMS” or “Call me” to receive a verification code.
3. Enter Verification Code: Input the code you received and click “Verify.”
4. Complete Setup: Follow any additional prompts to complete the two-step verification setup.

Manage App Passwords

1. App Passwords: Scroll down to find the “Manage app passwords” option.
2. Generate App Password: Click on “Generate app password.”
3. Select App: Choose the app you want to generate a password for from the dropdown menu.
4. Create Password: Click “Generate” and you will receive a unique password for the selected app.
5. Use Password: Copy the generated password and use it for the respective app.

Review Recent Activity

1. Recent Activity: Under the “Account Security” section, click on “Recent activity.”
2. Check Logins: Review the list of recent logins and activities to ensure there are no unauthorized access attempts.
3. Log Out Suspicious Sessions: If you notice any suspicious activity, click “Sign out” next to the session to log it out immediately.

Update Recovery Information

1. Recovery Email and Phone: Still in the “Account Security” section, find the “Recovery email address” and “Recovery phone number” options.
2. Edit Recovery Info: Click on each option to update or add new recovery information.
3. Verify Information: For added security, Yahoo will send a verification code to your new recovery email or phone number. Enter the code to verify.

Enable Account Key (Optional)

1. Account Key: For an added layer of security, consider enabling a Yahoo Account Key.
2. Set Up Account Key: Click on “See how it works” under the “Account Key” section.
3. Enable on Mobile: Follow the prompts to enable Account Key on your mobile device.
4. Confirm Setup: Confirm the setup by approving the notification sent to your device.

Conclusion

Maintaining the security of your Yahoo account is crucial in protecting your personal information and preventing unauthorized access. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your Yahoo security settings are up-to-date and robust. Regularly review and update these settings to keep your account secure. Remember, a strong password and enabling two-step verification are your first lines of defense against potential security threats.