Why You Should Always Enable 2-Factor Authentication
You have probably heard about two-factor authentication at some point in the relatively recent past, but if you are like a lot of consumers, there is a good chance that you have not used yet. If this is the case, it’s time to learn what exactly, two-factor authentication, how it works and why it is very important to use it.
What is two-factor authentication?
In simple terms, two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security for your accounts that makes it much more difficult for intruders (via Authy). The technology works by securing an account behind an authorization process that, usually speaking, revolves around the user’s smartphone.
The accounts protected by two-factor authentication always require the user to connect with their username and password. However, successfully enter this credentials will not provide access to the account. Instead, the user will then be invited to fill in the second authentication method (hence the term two factors) to exceed the security wall.
In most cases, two-factor authentication involves sending a prompt to an application on the user’s phone to support, confirming they are the person who tries to connect or text a code to their phone number that must be manually. entered the two-factor safety prompt. The idea is that while someone can learn your username and password, they probably are not able to physically access your phone.
Different methods
Some two-factor authentication processes use an authentication application instead of a text message. Indeed, unfortunately, SMS, SMS, a connection code will not protect your account if you are a victim of a SIM swap attack (via phishlabs). The most common version of a SIM swap attack consists in calling the victim’s wireless provider, claiming to be the account holder and convince the customer service agent to wear the phone number on the computer hacker.
An authenticating application, in comparison, is much more difficult to compromise, effectively lock the intruder of the account. Applications work by scanning a QR code presented to the user when turning two-factor authentication on their account. Scanning the QR code connects the account to the authenticator application, which generates a unique code that disappears and is replaced every minute.
The user will enter the application code in their account when connecting rather than get the code in a text message. In other cases, an account can offer several authentication methods, by addressing the main consumers of complaints on this additional layer of security: it is super annoying if you lose your phone.
