Logging in to ssa.gov can be a PITA, but, it IS secure.
I use login.gov to access the Social Security website. I had an email notice of a new message on the site, so I just went there. If you haven't been to the ssa.gov site, you may notice some changes. Those are all designed to ensure your security.
First, you have to select your login method. I have always used login.gov. So, it wanted my password and user name. My browser stores user names and passwords and I'm the only one who uses my PC, which has its own login procedure.
With the user name and password, the next step was verification. I use my cell phone for that. Login.gov texted me a security code, which I entered into the login.gov form. I was taken to my account on ssa.gov, where I got my message, which was an itemized notification of how much I'd be getting each month.
After I shut down the ssa.gov window, I also received an email from ssa.gov telling me that someone had logged into my account. Since it was me, I just deleted that notification email.
Complicated? Yeah, a little, but pretty darned secure. So, get used to it. Get your login set up and use it a few times so it looks familiar the next time you use it. We don't have to access ssa.gov very often, so it's easy to forget the login sequence of events.
They're not really trying to confuse you. It's just about security. Go with it, and go in peace.