HOW TO SET UP GMAIL 2-STEP VERIFICATION FOR NIGERIANS.

If you've once tried setting up a Gmail 2-step verification in Nigeria, you must have observed and understand that Google did not enlist Nigeria in the options for countries eligible for using and setting up a 2-step verification for Gmail accounts. I heard that Nigeria was initially on the list at the launch of the 2-step verification but was later removed for security reasons as claimed by one of Google’s spoke-person (Jay Nancarrow) on a particular online forum.

Seriously, I really can’t fathom the security reasons as claimed, I don’t want to believe Nigeria is that bad that Google chooses not to enlist the most populous black nation on earth. It’s more embarrassing to see countries with enormous terror records and cyber-crimes on the list – even our closest African brother “Niger” was seen on the list. I hope Google has concrete reasons for doing this, otherwise all we see is a bizarre and horrendous attitude from Google on this and has deeply deprived many Nigerians the same right enjoyed by citizens of other nations - especially after many Nigerians have migrated from the shackles of Yahoo and Microsoft to embrace a friendlier and more secure mail service like Gmail.

Nevertheless, after several attempts to activate the 2-step verification on my account, I discovered that my country “Nigeria” was not on the list of countries to send a verification code for confirmation. Initially, I thought it was mistakenly omitted and never to be taken too serious until I noticed people’s comment on the different social platforms – then I was forced to engage myself into some research especially on how to bypass the countries list and possibly the verification code. After several attempts and relentless surfing on the internet, I gathered some information and developed more so as to make things work.

More importantly, I’ll like to appreciate the visual illustrations of some contributors on YouTube, it has immensely helped to develop this and couple with my idea till the final stage. The following are the needed resources to activate your Gmail 2-step verification.·         A Gmail account (to run the step 2-verification)
·         Tor browser
·         A free K7.net account
·         Google authenticator app (for either iPhone, Android or Blackberry device).

STEP 1

Download a Tor browser here and install. To know more about Tor browser, you can read more here. For video illustration, click here.

STEP 2

Signup for a free US fax and voice-mail account here, you may want to see how to do that and how it works here.

STEP 3

Go to your device app store and download “Google Authenticator”. It’s an app that generates 6-numeric code for your account when you trying accessing from another device instead of Google sending codes to your phone, the app continuously generate codes. This app helps to ease the headache of network connectivity more especially when you have issues with your SIM or network provider and the sent code already expires when you eventually use it. The Google Authenticator app serves as a code generator and works more like a bank token that generates numeric codes for online transactions.Instructions on how to download and install Google Authenticator can been found here.


STEP 4

This is where the work begins, open your already installed Tor browser, it’s similar to your Mozilla interface if not the same.

1.     Open a tab and go to your Gmail account and log in.

2.     Sign in to your Google Account settings page by clicking on your name or picture in the upper right corner of the screen and then clicking Account as seen below.
3.     Scroll down to the "Signing in" box.

4.     Click 2-Step Verification. This will bring you to the 2-Step Verification settings page.

5.     You will then see a step-by-step guide which will help you through the setup process.

6.     When you get to the part that ask you to input your phone number so as to send you a verification code, you then input the phone number you got from step 2 above. Please note that you’re to choose US (+1) as your country, please check the “voicemail option” instead of the “SMS option” – after which the “send code” box appears clickable.

7.     After the code has been sent, you’ll be prompted by Google to fill in the code in the box that appears next. Then you go to your message inbox on your step 2 account and retrieve the voice-mail from Google. Listen to the voice-mail carefully and input the codes into the box as mentioned and follow as prompt.

8.     Once you’re done, you’ll be taken to the 2-Step Verification settings page again. Be sure to review your settings and add backup phone numbers.

9.     You’re done! Next time you sign in, you’ll receive an SMS with a verification code.
You may want to see a video illustration, please click here for an explicit demonstration, you can start watching from 4.10secs.    

Your account should be set-up by now.

It is important to note that you’ll lose access to your Gmail account immediately after it is set-up but not to worry, you’ll only be prompted to insert the code sent to your number (remember it’s the voice-mail number from step 2 above). Visit your inbox again on k7.net and listen to the code sent by Google in the voice-mail.

Thank you for reading this piece and I hope it works for you. Many thanks to the following people as their videos and resources has greatly helped in this.DottotechCTTechJunkie  GeekyKantGoogleAnd lastly to myself.


To see how to setup 2-step verification using Google Authenticator, please clickhere.