OK, Google has forced me to have a second level of security for my Gmail on my computer. It’s a pain in the butt, but I get the need for some solid security protocol. However, about 80% of the time they send me an error message when go to my phone to confirm it’s really me. Then I try again and some of the time that’s it, the second confirmation screen functions. The rest of the time I get another error message. So, I have to go back and try another way and have them text me a code which I then have to enter on my computer to access my gmail. That’s the kind of customer love that says, hey maybe it’s time to find an alternative email provider.
Am I the only one having this problem? Is there a way to disable the second level of security. I’d be OK with that. Is there a way of fixing the problem? I’d be OK with that too.
27th Street 
My approach with all websites is the same. I give out zero information. None. nada.ever, If you give someone your phone number they will use it just to verify that it is correct before they sell it. I have only ever made one exception and that was a couple of decades ago. I gave some website my phone number. I was young and foolish but not totally foolish. The number I gave them back then is the same number I give to everyone who insists on having my phone number. 967 1111. A catchy number that is easy to remember. Feel free to use it. The one nice thing about gmail is that they have an effective spam filter. I few years ago I noticed that my internet provider offered a free email service so I made an account just to try it out. In the first month I received 7,692 spam emails. On the downside google appears to absolutely read my emails I assume they are building a bigass file on what I write about.
Gmail has a help function where you can type in what you need help with. Sometimes you can get lucky and find that others have asked for help with the same issue and some guru will offer up a solution. Might be worth a look.