What is 2FA?
Two Factor Authentication is an additional layer of protection beyond your password. With millions of people online every day, processing millions of transactions, how do you prove your identity to websites? When you’re in front of a bank teller or a bartender, it’s simple! You show them your driver’s license and you attempt to replicate the same smile you made in that photo twenty-five years ago! But how do you suppose you prove who you are to a website today?
If you were at the ATM outside your bank, your card would be one factor and your pin code would be the second factor. Unfortunately it’s a little trickier online. This is why we use the two-factor authentication, which is a method of confirming a user's claimed identity by utilizing a combination of two different components.
Two-factor authentication adds a second level of authentication to an account log-in. When you have to enter only your username and one password, that's considered a single-factor authentication. 2FA requires the user to have two out of three types of credentials before being able to access an account. The three types are;
- Something you know, such as a personal identification number (PIN), password or a pattern
- Something you have, such as an ATM card, phone, or fob
- Something you are, such as a biometric like a fingerprint or voice print
No one ever said being secure is easy. The bad guys count on you being lax in protecting yourself. Implementing 2FA on accounts will mean it takes a little longer to log in each time on a new device, but it's worth it in the long run to avoid some serious theft, be it of your identity, data, or money.
At Connections for Business, we take security very seriously. If our clients don’t feel safe then we’re not doing our job! If you’re a South Florida business with more than 20 employees and computers, we offer a FREE Network Infrastructure & Security Assessment.
Maintaining the security of your business is a lot tougher than you think and it’s even more critical than ever before. This assessment will help to ensure that proper security measures and controls are integrated into your network. Our assessment will let you know if and where the gaps are in your IT Network and we will offer strategic recommendations to help mitigate risk and protect your data from cyber attack! And please don't be shy! If you have a question, please contact us and let us know how and when to reach you! Request your free audit today. No obligation required.
