Having an online account is a must need in today’s world. Online account comes with many responsibilities like proper authorization and rescuing from unnecessary invading in personal accounts. In this regard, previously, password was a well known warrior. They are considered as the frontline soldiers in the battle against cyber crimes. But entering only passwords isn’t enough these days. One needs to use two-factor authentication, which can be called 2FA in short, the new and modified hero of cybersecurity. But what exactly is two-factor authentication, and why should you have an idea about it? Let’s find out.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-Factor Authentication is a cyber security medium that requires two forms of identification before accepting access to a specific account. You can think of it as a double lock on your digital locker. In this way, even if a hacker or any general person picks the first lock, which is known, As your password, but they still need to unlock the second one, which is considered a double verification procedure.
The Two-Factor Authentication Formula
- Something You Must Know: Your Password or PIN.
- Something You Should Have: A physical device like your smartphone or a one-time code sent to you.
Why Passwords Are Less
Passwords are mostly the weakest link in your security chain, as most people use the easiest words or symbols for password to get easy access, and they are able to keep them in their memory easily. As many people use easy passwords or reuse the same password across multiple apps and accounts, it’s easy to access them. Even the strongest and most unique passwords can be unlocked through phishing attacks, data breaches, or sophisticated brute-force attacks.
Common password weaknesses
- Reused Passwords: Using the same password for many accounts without changing even a single word.
- Simple Passwords: Easy guessable passwords like “123456” or “password” or “user’s name”
- Phishing Attacks: falling into tricks and ending up revealing your password.
How Two-Factor Authentication Enhances Security
Extra Coating of Protection
Even if any black-hat hacker turns out to guess your password, he needs to get access through your second verification part, and he cannot open any account without going through that. Thus, in this way, two -factor authentication has reduced social media hacking and other websites.
Immediate Alerts
These days, most two- factor authentication systems notify you if someone tries to invade your private accounts or login to your account. This immediate alert allows you to take fast and smooth action to secure your account.
Vivid authentication methods
Two-factor authentication can involve a huge variety of methods, some of which include the following:
- SMS Codes: A one-time code is sent to the phone number that you have given for verification.
- Authenticator Apps: There are many apps like Google Authenticator that generate time-based codes. These codes aren’t of any use if the time exceeds.
- Biometric Verification: Biometric verification includes fingerprint or facial recognition. As one person’s finger and face biometric parts can’t match with another.
Reality-Based Examples of Two-Factor Authentication
Social Sites
Social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide you with two-factor authentication to protect your personal information and prevent unauthorized posts.
Banking Digitally
These days, many bank authorities use two- factor authentication to secure transactions and account access. While accessing your account, you will need a code that will be sent to your phone or generated by a security token.
Email Accounts
Email-authorized communities like Google and Microsoft offer two-factor authentication to safeguard your emails, which mostly contain sensitive personal and financial information.
Stay alert, stay smart.
Accessing the two-factor authentication method is a small step that makes a huge difference. Protect yourself in this vivid area of the digital landscape by adopting this essential security measure. Your future self will thank you for this tiny work.
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
Directory Guide
- Get to Account Settings: At first get to the security section of your account settings.
- Find two- factor authentication options: Secondly, look for two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication settings.
- Method choice: Select your likable two-factor authentication method, like SMS, authenticator app, biometric, etc.
- Follow Prompts: Complete the setup of two-factor authentication by following the on-screen instructions to have a safe online journey.
Famous services offered by 2FA
- Google: Google is the first and best app that will provide you with the Google Authenticator app.
- Apple: It is easy to enable two-factor authentication service in Apple via your Apple ID settings.
- Microsoft: Microsoft offers a huge range of applications, and among them, the Microsoft Authenticator app is indeed the best one.
- Social Media Platforms: Many social sites these days provide two-factor authentication in their security settings.
Overcoming common myths
“2FA is unnecessary.”
Two-factor authentication systems add an extra layer to the security system. The authentic security system far outweighs those small inconveniences. And to add to that, many two-factor authentication methods are pretty quick and not that difficult to use.
“I don’t have anything which needs protection”
If you believe it or not, every single person has valuable information that is worth protecting, whether it’s personal photos or financial data. Hackers can use hacked accounts for various purposes, including negative activities such as identity theft.
“It’s Too Difficult”
Setting up two-factor authentication in your account is much easier and more secure. It’s not difficult at all.
Two-factor authentication is a very strong tool in your cybersecurity army. By adding an extra layer of protection, two-factor authentication significantly strengthens the security of your online accounts. So, without waiting for a cyberattack to take action, you must access two-factor authentication today and sleep better knowing your digital world is safer.
