Facebook launched two-factor authentication almost two years ago, but the social networking service is improving its security a step further. After an initial limited test phase in 2011, Facebook has lauched Trusted Contacts globally, a way to recover access to your account through friends that you trust. The feature works by selecting between three to five friends to add to the Trusted Contacts list. If your account gets compromised or you forget your password, these friends can help by supplying security codes. Obviously, Facebook recommends you choose contacts who are available to you in the real world over telephone. Probably not a great idea to hand out such an elite status to online buddies.

It's an alternative to answering security questions or attempting to fill out web forms to recover accounts, but you'll have to pick your contacts wisely. Facebook will send the codes directly to a friend to then distribute to an account owner. Either way, it's the digital form of leaving a spare key with a neighbor and it's an additional approach to help tackle the rise of phishing scams. You can enable Trusted Contacts in the security section of Facebook's account settings

Trusted Contacts is available now under the security settings within your Facebook account.

Source: Facebook & TheVerge

Nuno Ricardo Da Silva – Creative – Criativo – Comunicação Online – Online Communication – Web Design – Design – Porto – Design Porto – Web Design Porto – Designer Porto