Want to protect your online accounts from cybercriminals? This comprehensive guide will help you understand the usefulness of two-factor authentication and teach you how to use 2FA to evade cyber attacks.
Everything in our modern world is digital, from socializing and entertainment to banking and shopping. Our lives have been made easier by these developments, but they have also increased our susceptibility to cyber attacks. Our lives may suffer irreversible damage if hackers steal our personal information, including login credentials and financial information. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is useful in this situation.
Two forms of identification are needed in order to access a resource or piece of data when using the 2FA security measure. Because there are now two security checks instead of one, it is more difficult for cybercriminals to access our accounts using this method of authentication. We’ll talk about the usefulness of 2FA and how to use it to avoid cyberattacks in this article.
What is Two-Factor Authentication?
When using two-factor authentication, you need two different forms of identification to access resources and data. The user’s knowledge such as: ‘a password or PIN’ and possession such as: ‘a smartphone or hardware token’ can be the two factors. Two-factor authentication helps verify that the user is who they say they are by adding an extra layer of security to the login process.
How Does Two-Factor Authentication Work?
When two-factor authentication is enabled, you will be asked for an additional form of identification in addition to your username and password. This might take the form of a unique code generated by a phone app, a biometric scan, or a tangible hardware token. Your identity is confirmed and account access is granted using the additional form of identification.
Why is Two-Factor Authentication Important?
Cybercriminals can easily compromise passwords using a variety of techniques, including phishing, social engineering, or brute force attacks. Even if a cybercriminal already has your password, two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for them to access your accounts. The login process is given an additional layer of security, making it more difficult for hackers to access your accounts and steal sensitive data.
How to Use 2FA To Evade Cyber Attacks On Some Platforms
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use 2FA for some popular platforms:
Microsoft
- Go to the Security basics page and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Select “More security options”.
- Under “Two-step verification”, choose “Set up two-step verification” to turn it on, or choose “Turn off two-step verification” to turn it off.
- Open your Google Account.
- In the navigation panel, select “Security”.
- Under “Signing in to Google”, select “2-Step Verification”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to get started.
- Go to your Security and Login Settings.
- Scroll down to “Use two-factor authentication” and click “Edit”.
- Choose the security method you want to add and follow the on-screen instructions.
- When you set up two-factor authentication on Facebook, you’ll be asked to choose one of three security methods.
iOS
- Go to “Settings”.
- Click on your name at the top.
- Click on “Password & Security”.
- Turn on “Two-Factor Authentication”.
macOS
- Go to “System Preferences”.
- Click on “iCloud”.
- Sign in and click “Account Details”.
- Click on “Security”.
- Turn on “Two-Factor Authentication”.
Types of 2FA
There are several types of 2FA available, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. Some of the most typical types of 2FA are listed below:
SMS-Based 2FA
One of the earliest and most popular types of 2FA is SMS-based 2FA. By providing their phone number during the account setup process, users can use this method to have a one-time code (OTC) sent to their phone via SMS. To finish the authentication process, the user enters the OTC into the login page.
Simple to use and requires no additional hardware or software is SMS-based 2FA. It does, however, have a number of drawbacks. First, if the user’s phone is compromised or cloned, attackers may be able to intercept SMS messages. Second, SIM swapping attacks, in which attackers trick the phone company into transferring the user’s phone number to a new SIM card they control, can compromise SMS-based 2FA. Finally, if the user does not have access to their phone or is in an area with poor mobile coverage, SMS-based 2FA may be inconvenient.
App-Based 2FA
App-based 2FA is a more recent and secure variation of 2FA that generates one-time codes using a specific mobile app. On their smartphone or tablet, the user installs an app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) and connects it to their account to use this method. The app generates a special one-time code when the user needs to authenticate, which they must enter on the login page.
FAQs on How To Use 2FA To Evade Cyber Attacks
1. How can users defend themselves against SIM swapping?
Attackers can intercept SMS-based authentication codes by tricking a mobile carrier into transferring a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card under their control using the technique known as SIM swapping. Users should avoid using SMS-based 2FA and instead use app-based authentication programs or tangible authenticator tokens to prevent SIM swapping. Users should also enable PINs or passphrases for their mobile carrier accounts and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in their accounts.
2. What alternatives exist to SMS-based 2FA?
Attackers may be able to intercept authentication codes by using SIM swapping techniques on SMS-based 2FA [3]. Users can instead use physical authenticator tokens like the YubiKey or Google Titan Key for more security, or app-based authentication programs like Google Authenticator.