For those that commonly forget their passwords or wish to change them, Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) announced today that it has rolled-out a new feature to make logging in easier for its hundreds of millions of users. In 2009, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) began offering this service and Twitter has finally come around to the idea. The traditional means by which users recover their passwords via email will remain in place.
About time
In order for users to reset their password by SMS, they must first register a mobile number with their account. The process takes just a couple of minutes. Once completed, users will be able to go to the “Forgot password?” link and enter their username or mobile numbers. Within 15 minutes of the user asking to reset their password, Twitter will text you with a six digit number that needs to be entered on the Twitter website. Users will then be prompted to select a new password.
“The new process lets you choose the email address or phone number associated with your account where you’d like us to send your reset information. That way, whether you’ve recently changed your phone number, or are traveling with limited access to your devices, or had an old email address connected to your Twitter account, you’ve got options,” Twitter wrote on the blog portion of their website. They’ve also included a link for trouble shooting the process if this isn’t simple enough.
Twitter: Heightened security checks
After repeated hacking attacks and user concern over security, Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) will also be looking at location, login history, and other unnamed factors to determine if there is any danger of fraudulent activity. After years without this added security, Twitter realizes it’s time for them to step up their game when it comes to user security.
“We’re aware that many people reuse the same passwords across multiple sites. And when any of these sites are compromised, stolen passwords could be used to access your account on Twitter,” the company said.
This new policy will have Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) sending email notifications more often when it detects unusual activity and will prompt users to enter the answer to their “secret question” more often.
