
Enabling 2-factor authentication (2FA) on your Bank of America account is a crucial step in protecting your financial information.
With 2FA, you'll need to provide a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or a biometric scan, in addition to your password.
This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
2FA can be set up through the Bank of America mobile banking app or online banking platform.
What Is 2FA?
Two-factor authentication is a way to verify that you are who you claim to be, combining something you know, such as a password, with something you have, like a phone or code card.
It's a multi-step process that adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Two-factor authentication has made financial accounts more secure, but it's not clear by how much.
The second factor might involve identifying a pre-selected picture on a website or verifying account access by a voice phone call. Some financial sites require a login and password, then verify you based on your browser or device.
Interactive Brokers was one of the first brokers to adopt two-factor authentication, using a code card for many years before switching to a mobile authentication key.
Security and Benefits

Bank of America's 2FA system is ingenious for several reasons, including its ability to defeat phishing and keylogging attacks.
The system, called SiteKey, requires no hardware or out-of-channel coordination by the end-users, which means it shouldn't cause a major increase in customer service expense.
Consumers may view these security steps as annoying, but they've become the norm and aren't going away. In 2021, 79 percent of respondents to the Duo Labs survey said they used two-factor authentication.
The BofA/Passmark system is designed to be user-friendly, with only a two-step login process required for users who log in from a previously registered computer.
Although some consumers may find two-factor authentication annoying, 93 percent of respondents in 2021 consider financial accounts to be of high concern for protection against unauthorized access.
Here are some key benefits of two-factor authentication:
- Requires the fewest steps and the fastest authentication
- Keeps financial accounts as secure as possible
- Defeats phishing by displaying a personal image prior to asking for password
- Defeats keylogging with the rotating challenge question
Enable 2FA on Bank of America
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on Bank of America is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your account. This will require you to provide a second form of verification, such as a text message or a security key, in addition to your password.

To get started, you can add a mobile number to receive text messages or order a SafePass Card, which is a small token that generates one-time passwords. The SafePass Card is a convenient option, but we'll focus on setting up 2FA using a mobile number in this tutorial.
To enable 2FA on Bank of America, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your online account and navigate to the "Security Center" section.
2. Click on "Set up Two-Factor Authentication" and activate 2FA for your account.
3. Select "Add a security key" and insert your FIDO2 key into a USB port on your computer.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup process, which will typically involve entering a PIN or other authentication code associated with your key.
Alternatively, you can use Bank of America's "SafePass" system, which requires security questions and a password to log in, and offers 2FA for sensitive or high-value transactions.
Here's a summary of the different methods to enable 2FA on Bank of America:
Remember to review your password and security questions regularly, and treat them like any other password by creating strong, unique passwords.
Bank of America's 2FA Introduction

Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the US, and it offers various methods of two-factor authentication, including FIDO2 keys.
To add a FIDO2 key to your Bank of America account, you'll need to follow a series of steps, which include logging in to your online account, activating two-factor authentication, and inserting your FIDO2 key into a USB port.
The key benefits of using a FIDO2 key with your Bank of America account include increased device security and the ability to use it for two-factor authentication whenever you log in.
Here's a summary of the steps to add a FIDO2 key to your Bank of America account:
- Make sure your FIDO2 key is set up and ready for use
- Log in to your online account and activate two-factor authentication
- Insert your FIDO2 key into a USB port and follow the instructions on the screen
- Enter a PIN or other authentication code associated with your key
- Once set up, you can use your FIDO2 key for two-factor authentication whenever you log in
Bank of America's two-factor authentication system, called SiteKey, is a multi-layered approach that defeats phishing and keylogging attacks. It involves verifying the user's identity, displaying a personal image, and rotating challenge questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What banks use 2FA?
The four biggest U.S. banks support 2FA, but it's not always enabled by default. Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, and Wells Fargo offer 2FA, but users must often opt-in to activate it.
Sources
- https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/12/how-enable-two-factor-authentication-bank-america
- https://www.token2.swiss/site/page/how-to-add-a-token2-fido2-key-to-your-bank-of-america-online-account
- https://finovate.com/bank-of-america-multi-factor-consumer-security/
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/two-factor-authentication-financial-accounts-security/
- https://www.secureidnews.com/news-item/bank-of-america-adds-two-factor-authentication/
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