Don’t turn off two-factor authentication You might feel tempted to disable two-factor authentication if the wrong location keeps showing up. This is a bad idea because it weakens the security of your account. Even if you allow access to someone in the wrong location, two-factor authentication...
Why Two-Factor Authentication Can Help Keep Your Data SafeJohn Harris
Two-factor authentication (2FA), also referred to asmulti-factor authentication (MFA), is a method by which an institution, website, social media platform or other application verifies your identity beyond the first of step of using your password. Here’s what you need to know about how it ...
If you already follow basic password security measures, two-factor authentication will make it even more difficult for cybercriminals to breach your account. However, you shouldn’t expect it to work like a magic wand that will miraculously bulletproof your accounts. It can’t keep the bad guys...
Two-factor authentication is usually considered solid security — if no one but you has access to your mobile phone, then who else could read a message on it? Well, anyone who has access to the SS7 system and who is interested in using your SMS messages to get to your money. ...
Moving away from SMS-based authentication is the big current project. It’s possible that two-factor authentication will transition to a handful ofthird-party apps like Duo, which remove many of the weaknesses associated with the process. And more high-risk fields will move into MFA, or multi...
‘Multi-factor authentication’, or MFA. Multi-factor authentication is based on a user having specific knowledge of something personal to them, for example, a PIN or a pet’s name; possession of something, for example, their smartphone or bank card; or something they have which is ...
Developer Justin Williamshas a frightening storyabout how someone got into his PayPal account and withdrew a couple hundred bucks, even though he had two-factor authentication enabled: I instantly called AT&T’s customer service line to explain what is happening. I give them my name, my phone ...
Bottom line: SMS two-factor authentication is a bad idea and it can causebigger problemsthan it solves. It could have been great at the beginning, and it’s still better than relying utterly on credentials, but only if you have no other alternatives. ...
While two-factor authentication is common on many services now, it's not backwards-compatible with some older devices. For example, if you have two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account and try to sign into an Xbox 360, it won't work properly. ...