Abstract
Computer security experts recommend that people use two-factor authentication (2FA) on password protected systems to help keep hackers out. Providing two pieces of information to verify a person’s identity adds extra security to an account. However, it is not clear if the added security and procedures impact system usability. This paper aims to answer this question by assessing per ISO 9241-11’s suggested measurements the usability of Google’s optional 2FA methods. We found few differences across four different 2FA methods when comparing efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction measures—illustrating that one method is not necessarily more or less usable then another. Overall, the measures indicated that the systems’ usability needed to be improved, especially with regard to the initial setup of 2FA. In conclusion, developers need to focus more attention on making 2FA easier and faster to use, especially since it is often optional for password users, yet makes accounts significantly more secure.
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