Technology
Are bank text codes enough to protect you?
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Bank security can feel confusing because every account seems to handle it differently. One bank sends a text. Another sends an email. Another asks you to approve a login inside its app. So when someone says, “Use stronger two-factor authentication,” it is fair to wonder what that actually means.
Kyra from West Plains, Missouri, reached out to us asking:
I watched your podcast video where you talked about two-factor authentication and getting codes by email from your bank and other accounts. My accounts seem to do that automatically, as far as I know. Is that enough, or do I need to contact my bank to make sure it’s set up correctly
Kyra, this is a great question because a lot of people are in the same boat. They see a code pop up and assume they are fully protected. The truth is a little more complicated. Text or email codes are better than having only a password.
Text and email codes, however, are not always the strongest options. Scammers have found ways to steal codes, trick people into sharing them or take control of a phone number through a SIM swap scam. Once scammers control your number, they may receive the text codes needed to get into accounts that use SMS-based multi-factor authentication.
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Bank customers using text-message security codes may still face risks from SIM swap scams and phishing attacks. Cybersecurity experts recommend stronger login protection when available. (Anna Barclay/Getty Images)
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What two-factor authentication actually does
Two-factor authentication, also called 2FA or multi-factor authentication, adds another step when you log in. Instead of relying only on your password, the account asks for something else to prove it is really you.
That “something else” might be a code sent by text, a code from an authenticator app, a security key or a prompt inside your bank’s mobile app. Two-factor authentication is one of the best ways to protect your accounts because it adds a second layer beyond your password.
So, Kyra, if your bank already sends you a code, that is a good sign. It means some form of extra protection is turned on. But the next question is whether your bank offers a stronger option.
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Why text message codes are not the strongest choice
Text message codes are popular because they are easy to use. Most people know how to read a text and type in a code. That convenience comes with risk.
A SIM swap scam happens when a criminal tricks your phone carrier into moving your phone number to a device they control. Once that happens, your calls and texts may go to the scammer instead of you. The American Bankers Association warns that scammers may try to intercept two-factor authentication codes so they can access financial accounts.
Scammers can also call, text or email while pretending to be your bank. They may say there is fraud on your account and ask you to read back a code. That code may actually be the key they need to log in. Scammers often try to trick people into sharing verification codes because they need both the password and the code to break into an account.
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That is why the safest rule is simple: Never share a bank security code with anyone who contacts you. A real bank should not call and ask you to read back a login code.
Why an authenticator app is usually better
When your bank supports it, an authenticator app is usually a stronger choice than text messages. Apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy and Duo Mobile generate a changing six-digit code on your phone.
The big advantage is that the code is created inside the app. It usually works even when you do not have cell service. It also does not depend on your phone number, which helps reduce the risk from SIM swap scams.
That said, authenticator apps are not magic. If you type a code into a fake banking website, a scammer may still capture it. One-time password authentication isn’t phishing-resistant. Still, authenticator apps remove some of the biggest weaknesses tied to text-message codes.
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Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection to online banking accounts, but not all methods offer the same level of security. Authenticator apps and passkeys are generally safer than text codes. (Kyle Ericksen/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
The strongest option, if your bank offers it
Some banks and financial services give you stronger ways to prove it is really you when you log in. Two of the strongest options are hardware security keys and passkeys.
A hardware security key is a small physical device, often shaped like a USB stick, that you plug into your computer or tap against your phone to approve a login.
A passkey lets you sign in using your device, such as your phone or computer, often with Face ID, Touch ID, a fingerprint or a screen lock.
These options are harder for scammers to steal because they are designed to work only with the real website or app. That means a fake banking website usually cannot trick them the same way it can trick someone into typing in a text code.
For most people, the safest order is simple: use a security key or passkey if your bank supports it. If not, use an authenticator app. If text codes are the only option, keep them turned on because they are still better than using only a password.
How to check your bank’s security settings
You may not need to visit a branch. In most cases, you can check this from your bank’s official website or app.
Start from a computer if you can. Go directly to your bank’s official website by typing the web address yourself. Do not click a link from a text or email, even if it looks real.
Then look for a section with a name like:
- Security
- Login & Security
- Privacy & Security
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- 2-Step Verification
Once you are there, look for an option called Authenticator app. Some banks may use different wording, such as authentication app, one-time passcode app, TOTP, security app or third-party authenticator. If you see that option, follow the setup steps. Your bank will usually show a QR code on your computer screen. Open your authenticator app on your phone, tap Add account or the + button, then scan the QR code. The app will generate a six-digit code. Enter that code on your bank’s website to confirm setup.
Do not skip the backup codes
This part matters more than people realize. If your bank gives you backup codes, save them right away. Print them and store them somewhere safe, or place them in a secure password manager. These codes can help you get back into your account if your phone gets lost, damaged or replaced.
Also, make sure your bank has your current email address and phone number on file. If your recovery information is old, getting back into your account can become much harder.
If you share access with a spouse or trusted family member, ask your bank how additional users should set up their own secure login. Avoid sharing one password or one authenticator code when the bank offers separate user access.
What to do if your bank only offers text codes
Some banks may not offer a third-party authenticator app, but may let you approve logins inside the bank’s own mobile app. That can be stronger than a text message because the approval happens inside the banking app rather than through your phone number.
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If yours only offers text-message codes, do not turn them off. Text codes are still better than no second layer at all. However, you should ask your bank whether it supports a stronger option. You can call the number on the back of your debit or credit card, use secure messaging inside the bank’s app or visit a branch.
Ask this: “Do you support authenticator apps, passkeys, hardware security keys or app-based login approval for online banking?”
If the answer is no, keep text codes turned on. Then strengthen the parts you can control. Use a strong and unique bank password, and store it in a trusted password manager so you do not have to remember it or reuse it anywhere else. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
In addition, ask your mobile carrier to add a port-out PIN, number transfer lock or account security PIN to help reduce SIM swap risk. Also, turn on account alerts for transfers, password changes and new device logins.
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Security experts warn that scammers can intercept text verification codes or trick customers into sharing them. Customers should never provide login codes to unsolicited callers or texts. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Should Kyra contact her bank?
Yes, but she probably does not need to walk into a branch unless she prefers in-person help. Kyra should first log in to her bank’s official website or app and check the security settings. If she sees an authenticator app, passkey, security key or app-based approval option, she should consider using it. If she only sees text or email codes, she should keep them turned on and contact the bank to ask whether stronger login options are available.
She should also make sure her bank password is strong and unique, protect her email account with strong two-factor authentication and confirm that her account alerts are turned on.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Kyra’s question gets to the heart of account security. Seeing a code arrive by text or email can feel reassuring. And yes, it is better than relying on a password alone. However, bank accounts deserve the strongest protection your bank offers. If you can move from text codes to an authenticator app, that is a smart upgrade. If your bank supports a passkey or security key, even better. And no matter which method you use, never give a security code to someone who calls, texts or emails you out of the blue.
Have you checked whether your bank still relies on text codes, and would you switch banks if yours refused to offer stronger login protection? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
YouTube is launching a new AI feature that creates a personalized video feed based on descriptions of what you want to watch. In its announcement, YouTube says custom content feeds can be built around your specific interests, moods, or favorite topics, which you can then pin to the top of your YouTube homepage — making it easy to jump back into the feed.
This feature is currently rolling out with English language support to YouTube users in the US who are signed-in on the YouTube mobile app or desktop. To access it, click on the “Your custom feed” tab at the top of the YouTube homepage and enter a prompt description into the AI text box. For example, you can ask the YouTube AI to “help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes,” or for “deep-dive tech podcasts about AI,” and then receive a curated feed based on your request.
It’s similar to other AI-powered feed customization features we’ve seen from other platforms, including Spotify’s prompted playlists. Instagram also gave users more control over their Reels feed algorithm in December, though that uses topic lists rather than descriptive prompts.
YouTube says that prompts can be edited at any time to “generate a brand new space” by selecting the text box at the top of your custom feed. To see the “Your custom feed” tab, YouTube says you need to ensure your search and watch history are enabled in your account settings. If the AI messes up your feed request, you can also report the issue to YouTube by clicking the 3-dot menu on the feature tab and selecting “Something wrong?” to leave feedback.
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Healthcare has moved onto your phone. That sounds convenient until you are staring at a login screen, trying to refill a prescription, book a telehealth visit or figure out why your insurance portal will not load.
For many older adults, this shift has created a new kind of health problem. It is called low digital health literacy, and it can affect much more than your patience.
Digital health literacy means having the knowledge, access and confidence to use online health tools. That includes apps, patient portals, prescription refills, telehealth visits, benefit websites and digital forms.
New research from CVS Health on Medicare-age adults found that many seniors want to use digital health tools. However, they often hit roadblocks that make care harder to manage. Those roadblocks include confusing portals, privacy concerns, outdated devices, spotty internet and hard-to-follow health information.
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That can lead to missed appointments, delayed care, prescription problems and more stress for people already managing health challenges.
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Older adults are increasingly managing healthcare through apps and online portals, but confusing systems and security concerns are making digital care harder to navigate. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Why digital health literacy affects your care
Healthcare companies, insurance plans, pharmacies and doctors’ offices now rely heavily on digital tools. You may need an app to check test results. You may need a portal to message your doctor. You may need a website to understand your benefits.
That works well when the tool feels simple. It becomes a problem when the tool creates more confusion than clarity.
The CVS Health research found that digital health literacy challenges appeared across several common areas. Many older adults struggled to navigate health information online. Others worried about whether websites or apps could protect their personal information. Some lacked reliable internet or newer devices. Many simply felt unsure about what to click next.
That uncertainty matters. When someone cannot access a portal, understand a benefit or complete a refill request, digital care becomes a barrier instead of a shortcut.
Why seniors need better digital health support
One of the most important findings is encouraging. Older adults are not rejecting technology across the board. In fact, the research found that 86% of respondents were open to digital health engagement. Many were willing to learn. They just wanted tools that matched their comfort level.
That point challenges a common assumption. The bigger issue is design. Many people want to use digital health tools, but the experience often feels confusing. A person may use a smartphone every day and still struggle with a health portal. Health tasks can feel more stressful than everyday online tasks because the stakes are higher. A wrong click can feel risky. A confusing message can raise anxiety. A failed login can delay something important.
Common digital health problems older adults face
The research points to several pain points that will feel familiar to many older adults.
1) Confusing portals and health websites
Many people feel overwhelmed when trying to find health information online. They may not know which portal to use, where to check benefits or how to fix an error message. This gets harder when each doctor, pharmacy or insurer uses a different system. One login handles test results. Another handles prescriptions. A separate website shows insurance coverage. That creates a lot of digital homework.
2) Passwords and login problems
Simple tasks can fall apart at the login screen. Forgotten passwords, two-factor codes and account lockouts can stop someone from getting the care information they need. Security matters. Still, a login process that feels impossible can push people away from digital care entirely.
3) Privacy and scam concerns
Many older adults worry about sharing personal information online. That concern makes sense. Health accounts can contain sensitive details, including medications, diagnoses, insurance information and payment data. Scammers also target older adults with fake medical messages, bogus pharmacy alerts and phishing emails that look official. As a result, some people hesitate even when a real health message arrives.
4) Old devices and weak internet access
Digital health tools assume people have reliable internet, updated phones and working software. Many do not. Older devices may run slowly or fail to support newer apps. Limited internet access can make telehealth frustrating. Cost can also stop people from upgrading devices or paying for faster service.
Why telehealth still feels risky for some seniors
Telehealth became familiar to many people during the pandemic. The research found that many Medicare respondents had previous telehealth experience and saw its convenience. Still, some remained skeptical. The biggest concern was whether telehealth could actually address their health problem.
That hesitation makes sense. A video visit may work well for a follow-up question, medication discussion or minor issue. It may feel wrong for a new symptom, pain that needs an exam or anything that feels urgent. The takeaway is simple. Telehealth works best when patients understand when to use it and when to ask for in-person care.
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New CVS Health research found many Medicare-age adults want to use digital health tools, but outdated devices, login issues and privacy fears remain major obstacles. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
How AI could change digital health literacy
AI is starting to appear in healthcare tools. It may help explain benefits, answer basic questions and guide people through online tasks. Used well, AI could reduce frustration. It could translate confusing health language into plain English. It could help someone find the right next step faster.
However, AI also creates a new challenge. People need to know when they are dealing with AI, what the tool can do and when they should ask for a real person. That human backup is important. For healthcare, trust often depends on knowing help is available when something feels confusing, sensitive or serious.
How to use health apps safely
If you have ever felt stuck inside a health app, you are not alone. Digital health tools can help you manage care, but only when you know how to use them safely. Here are the key things to know.
1) Keep a written list of your health logins
Keep a secure list of your main health websites and apps. Include your doctor portal, pharmacy account, insurance account and telehealth platform. A password manager can make this much easier. It can store strong passwords, fill them in for you and reduce the chance that you type your information into a fake site. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
On iPhone running: Go to Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords. Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys. Then choose the password app you want to use. Apple says Password AutoFill can fill saved passwords and passkeys from the Passwords app or supported password apps.
On a Samsung phone: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Go to Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Passwords, passkeys and autofill > Preferred service. Choose Samsung Pass, Google or your preferred password manager. If you do not see that path, open Settings and use the search bar at the top to search Preferred service.
2) Go straight to the official website or app
If you get a text or email about your health account, avoid clicking the link. Open the official app from your phone’s home screen. You can also type the website into your browser yourself. This one habit can help you avoid many phishing scams. If a message says your account has a problem, do not use the link in that message. Go directly to the health app, pharmacy app, doctor portal or insurance website.
3) Turn on two-factor authentication
4) Ask for human help when you get stuck
You should not have to guess your way through healthcare. If a portal confuses you, call the provider, pharmacy or insurance plan directly using the number on your card or the official website. Ask them to walk you through the task slowly. You can also ask whether they offer in-person help, phone support or printed instructions.
5) Use telehealth for the right kind of visit
Telehealth can work well for follow-ups, prescription questions, some mental health appointments and simple care needs. For new symptoms, severe pain, breathing trouble or anything that feels urgent, ask whether you need in-person care. When in doubt, call a medical professional.
6) Check app permissions
Health apps may ask for access to your location, camera, microphone, photos or notifications. Some permissions make sense. Others may not be necessary.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Tap the item you want to check, such as Location Services, Camera, Microphone or Photos. Tap the health app you want to review. Choose the safest option that still lets the app work. Apple says this area lets you review which apps can access features such as the camera, microphone and location.
To check notifications on iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > [name of health app] > Notifications. Turn Allow Notifications on or off.
On a Samsung: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer Go to Settings > Apps > tap the three dots in the upper-right corner > Permission manager. Tap a permission, such as Location, Camera or Microphone. Tap the health app you want to review. Choose Allow only while using the app, Ask every time or Don’t allow, depending on what you want the app to access.
To check notifications on Samsung, go to Settings > Apps > [name of health app] > Notifications. Turn notifications on or off.
7) Keep your phone and health apps updated
Updates can fix bugs and close security holes. They can also make apps work better with your doctor, pharmacy or insurance portal.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Wait for the screen to check for updates. If an update appears, tap Download and Install and follow the instructions.
To update apps on iPhone, open the App Store. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner. Scroll down to App Updates. Tap Update next to the health app or tap Update All.
On a Samsung phone: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. If an update appears, tap Install now and follow the instructions.
To update apps on Samsung, open the Google Play Store. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner. Tap Manage apps & device. Tap Updates available. Tap Update next to the health app or tap Update all.
For Samsung apps, open the Galaxy Store app. Tap Menu in the bottom-right corner. Tap Updates. Tap Update all to update everything, or tap the update icon next to one app to update it by itself.
8) Add strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software can help protect you from scam links, fake websites, malicious downloads and other online threats. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. This matters because health accounts can contain personal details, insurance information and prescription data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
9) Watch for scam warning signs
Be careful with messages that create panic. Scammers may say your benefits will stop, your prescription has been canceled, or your account has been locked. Look for spelling errors, strange links, urgent demands and requests for payment. Real health organizations should never pressure you to share passwords or one-time codes. If you are unsure, stop and call the company using a phone number from your card, bill or official website.
How to help a loved one use health apps
Many older adults want support, not someone taking over the whole process. If you help a parent, spouse or friend, sit beside them and let them do the clicking when possible. Explain what each step means. Help them save official websites as bookmarks so they can return safely later. Also, slow down. Healthcare already feels stressful. Technology can make that stress worse when someone feels embarrassed or rushed. A little calm help can build confidence over time.
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Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com.
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Telehealth and online prescription systems can simplify care, but many seniors still struggle with passwords, portals and scam risks tied to digital health platforms. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Digital health tools are now part of everyday care. They can save time and make routine tasks easier. Yet they can also leave people behind when the design feels confusing, or the support disappears too quickly. The best health technology should make people feel more in control. That means simple logins, clear instructions and an easy way to reach a real person when something goes wrong. For older adults and the families who love them, digital health literacy has become a practical safety skill. It can affect whether people book appointments, refill medications and feel safe using online care.
When your healthcare moves onto a screen, who should be responsible for making sure you can actually use it? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
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- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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