2-step verification allows you to use your mobile phone as a second layer of security to access your Gmail account, and the POP email addresses you’ve linked to your Gmail account. You’ll need a phone that can receive text (SMS) messages, or you can opt to use a voice call.

What is the primary benefit of enabling 2-step verification? If someone successfully guesses or cracks your Gmail password with a computer other than your own trusted computer, you will receive a text message with a verification code. That verification code will be required to get into your Gmail account, so the would-be cracker will not be able to get in, and you’ll know that someone has attempted to log into your account, which means you’ll need to log in yourself as soon as possible in order to change your password. Of course, if you’re using this password for any other accounts, you should change it there too.