Introduction:

In today’s online environment, the fundamental “username and password” approach to account security can be easily breached by cyber criminals. Many log-ins can be compromised in a matter of minutes, and private data; such as personal and financial details, is under increasing threat. Strong web security relies on a variety of tools and policies. It’s important not to rely on any single method for comprehensive protection. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) adds another layer of account security, supplementing the username and password model with another factor that only the specific user has access to. Whenever possible, users should get into the habit of protecting themselves with the extra layer of security that MFA provides.

MFA: Don’t Let Your Password Be Your Only Defense:

Traditional single-factor authentication systems require users to provide only one verification factor, i.e. the password, to access a system or application. Hackers can easily steal these passwords, and hack into an enterprise system. MFA systems require two or more factors to verify a user’s identity and grant them access to an account. MFA provides reliable assurance that an authorized user is who they say they are, thus minimizing the possibility of unauthorized access. For these reasons, MFA is much more effective at protecting systems compared to passwords.

MFA: Tips & Tricks For Stronger Cybersecurity:

Cyberattacks involve obtaining account credentials. MFA requires users to provide additional information or credentials to gain access to an account. So, even if an attacker does manage to steal passwords, it’s unlikely that they will also be able to steal or compromise the additional authentication factors required in MFA. That’s why MFA can thwart cybercriminals and successfully combat many types of cyberattacks, such as Phishing, Spear Phishing and Whaling.

An attacker may launch a phishing attack to steal a user’s credentials. But, if the user’s account is protected by MFA, the attacker won’t be able to access it. This is because a phishing email won’t provide the other authentication factors, such as one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to a different device (e.g. a mobile phone), fingerprints, or other biometric factors required to gain access to the system.

In attacks where the attacker tries to trick a user into entering their credentials, certain types of MFA such as WebAuthn require the user to enter a YubiKey or fingerprint from the system they’re logging in from. These details cannot be captured by the attacker, thus protecting the system and user.

Conclusion:

MFA cannot guarantee foolproof security or stop all cyberattacks. However, it can help protect high-value systems and accounts, secure email access, and limit the usefulness of stolen credentials. Most importantly, MFA adds additional layers of authentication to protect systems and combat many types of cyberattacks. MFA is also critical to achieving Zero Trust, the most reliable cybersecurity approach in the modern cyberthreat landscape.