To access the Security Checkup, users need to visit their TikTok app’s “Settings and privacy,” then click on “Security & permissions.” From there, they can initiate the security checkup. The tool enables users to run through a series of essential security tasks:
Add a Backup Login Method: Users can supply a second login method so that they can regain their account if they lose access to their primary login credentials.
Enable Two-Step Verification: This provides a second layer of security by requiring the users to enter a second form of verification, such as a code sent to their phone or email, in addition to their password.
Check Devices with Access: Users are able to see all the devices that have recently accessed their account. This makes it easy to detect unauthorized devices and for users to take measures to protect their account.
Enable Face ID or Touch ID: As an additional security measure, users can enable biometric sign-in features such as Face ID or Touch ID, which makes it harder for other people to log in to their account.
TikTok will also flag the issue in the Security Checkup if it detects any suspicious activity on an account, prompting users to review and address the issue. This allows users to stay on top of their account security and act quickly in the event of any suspected danger.
The release of the Security Checkup tool is also part of broader trends in the tech industry, as companies persist in making the addition of more privacy and security features for users a priority. TikTok also recently introduced more parental control features to enable parents to more readily monitor and manage their teens’ app usage, showing a commitment to providing users with more control over their online experiences.
In addition to these practices, users are advised to use strong and distinctive passwords and keep their contact information updated. This includes updating the email addresses and phone numbers associated with their TikTok accounts from time to time. Up-to-date and accessible contact information helps avert unauthorized access and enables users to recover their accounts easily in case of need.
TikTok’s efforts at account security tightening are crucial in today’s online landscape, where social media applications are frequent targets of cyberattacks. By empowering users with features like the Security Checkup, TikTok is striving to make its community a safer space, with users being able to utilize the application with greater peace of mind.