Almost every site offers a sluggish account security: A username and a password. But Google has always something different to offer. Google has added a two-step authentication option to Google apps which protects the user accounts with a code delivered through a mobile phone in addition to the usual password. It is available to the Google Apps consumers since September and now it's been  rolling out to everyone. 

Google two-step authentication option provides an additional protection against malware and phishing attacks, hacking or in the case may be, our passwords being guessed.

With Google two-step authentication feature, when you login to your Google account, you need to enter two passwords, that is, the existing password and the special code which is delivered to your phone. You can generate this smart code quite easily. If you're a Android, iPhone or Blackberry user, you can generate the code simply by downloading a free smartphone app called  'Google Authenticator' which is available on all the three app stores. Else, if you're not a smartphone user, Google will send out the authentication codes by SMS (which is free) or voice message on the mobile number you've entered when you set up the feature. 

In case you lose your phone or your phone is not available around you, Google provides you with some Back-up verification codes which lets you sign in one-time. It even asks for an optional mobile phone number in case your number is not working for any reason. 

After that, each time you log in, you will see an additional text box which requires to enter a six-digit code. You can either request the code via SMS from the login page, or click on a button in the smartphone app to generate a new passcode. The best part is you don't have to memorize the code because each time you sign in form a different device, you'd receive a new code.

Now let's have an easy and quick understanding on how to enable this feature:

1. Go to Settings in your Google Mail Account and jump to Accounts and Import Tab. Hit Other Google Account Settings there.

2. You have a new window with Personal Settings, Using 2-step verification Authorizing applications & sites under it.

3. Next, you enroll in 2-step verification, and selects the method for receiving their verification code on their mobile phone: the Google Authenticator app, text message, or phone call. Smartphone users can use the Google Authenticator app which can generate codes without a network connection.

Give it a try and do share you feedback with us in the comments section below.