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Why should I care about 2-factor authentication?
After everything that has happened in the past year, it is hard to imagine a better time for you to create two factor authentication for your email. Everyone must know how to protect your digital privacy. The unfortunate truth is that our email accounts are highly coveted targets in the modern world, with many malicious hackers seeking out these email addresses in order to steal personal information or send out spam. Setting up 2FA will protect your inbox against potential intruders, and you won't need to worry about resetting and changing passwords every so often which can be a nuisance. So if you're ready to take action and protect yourself from some of these crooks, then read on!
2FA in the nutshell
Best security practices require dedication, but they are well worth it as they will make your life easier. In the case of setting up 2FA, all you have to do is to set up a security token that will generate a random secret code, and then you will be required to enter a secret code in addition to your password. The dual-factor setup will make it much more difficult for someone trying to hack into your account, as this is essentially two layers of protection that these scammers would need to break through. This way, even if they do manage to find out your passcode, they won't be able to get into your account without the physical token present.
Why is 2 factor authentication better than passwords?
The most important reason for setting up 2FA is because it makes your online security stronger overall. Not only will you get the benefit of having a more secure password, but you won't need to change it all that frequently either- which can sometimes be a very annoying process. Remember, your password should have capital letters, numbers and symbols in it, so that it is harder to break.
And why aren’t passwords good enough?
Most of us have multiple accounts to secure, whether it’s email, social media platforms, a banking account, or a shopping site. The truth is that we unwittingly make our accounts vulnerable by using an inadequate password.
How do I secure my two factor authentication?
Unfortunately, two-factor authentication is not user-friendly for the vast majority of users. There are lots of online resources about setting up 2FA but it’s not something you can just do by yourself in five minutes! For example, when you try to set up 2FA on Facebook, Google or Amazon – the first step is to generate an App Password for each account. Then there’s a one-time code you have to enter and it’s sent to you on a text message. It’s a pain in the neck!
What are the ways one can set up 2 factor authentication?
The most obvious way to set up 2FA is via text message. This way, every time you log into an online account, you receive a short numerical code that you must enter into Google, Facebook, Instagram etc. to log in. The limitation of an SMS 2FA is that you must have your phone with you at all times, because your 2 factor authentication is tied up to your physical phone number. Is there a better way?
Thankfully, there are nearly 100 service providers that make it easier for us by rolling out 2FA (authentication through two different means). These include various smartphone and desktop apps as well as browser add-ons. However, not all of them are equal. The two most popular authentication tools are Google Authenticator or Amazon Dash. They work with multiple platforms, including iOS, Android and Chrome OS.
Rise in crime on the internet requires stronger security with two-factor authentication
Account security is something that every business and website should take seriously. But despite the growing concern, there is no concrete solution for the problem of cybercrime. The rise in the number of hacked accounts has created a greater need for the two-factor authentication systems that ensure that your account won't be breached easily.
The aftermath of identity theft can be devastating
Stolen credentials are used to secure fake credit cards and open fraudulent bank accounts, which are used to purchase expensive goods, or they are sold in the cybercrime market. The consequences of this kind of crime could result in an individual's identity being stolen, losing access to critical services and even suffering from financial losses. This thereby implies that it is critical for websites and businesses to adopt two-factor authentication not just to protect their sensitive data but also their customers'.
How cybercriminals target payment systems
Recently, cybercriminals have been targeting payment systems through phishing emails and drive-by downloads. These infections often harvest credentials for a website or service by saving username and password information in a text file on computers running Windows OS.
