Everyone these days uses the internet at least once every day. People tend to have on the internet a lot of their personal information which is why it is important to make sure they are safe from hackers or third parties. Passwords are the most famous and the old fashioned way to access our accounts and keep it, along with our data and personal information safe. However, a new system emerged, known as two factor authentication, also known as 2FA. It delivers extra protection and safety to your accounts here we will discuss its importance and how two factor authentication works.
What is two factor authentication?
Two step authentication is a system that works to provide two ways to verify that it is you who is accessing your account. In fact, it adds an extra layer of security to your accounts on the internet.
Two factor authentication or 2FA consists of you providing some sort of proof or private information. Any information that only you would know and you will have access to your account only after you enter this specific information.
Why is two factor authentication important?
The rates of cybercrime are rising each and every day and everyone has most of his life on his laptop or cellphone such as his bank account details, his contacts, his messages and other important and private matters. Old ways are not the most secure when it comes to protecting your data and the old ways of protection are not effective in the face of more modern and advanced threats. Making sure that all of your data is safe should be your top priority.
2FA works really well when it comes to protection and is a good way to keep everything secure. Their whole point is to increase your privacy and provide you with the security a simple password can’t.
After knowing what two factor authentication does and its importance, you might ask yourself how does two factor authentication work, and here is the answer to your question.
How does two factor authentication work?
There are different types of 2FA and each one of them works in a certain way to make sure that you are the only one who can have access to your accounts and your data. Here is an overview on what are the most popular types of 2FA and how they work to provide you with extra security:
1- Text messages on your phone number
This one is probably the most popular method and here is how it works. You will have to register your mobile’s phone number while signing up into your account. Whenever you sign in to your account, you will receive a text message containing a code that you will have to enter to be able to access your account. It is also possible to receive a voice message or even a phone call depending on the option you choose.
2- Applications
Applications are the second way. You will have to link the application to your account. The application will generate a different code each time you log in to your account that you will have to enter to access it. A new code will be generated every 30 seconds or so. It is crucial to be fast when logging in and most importantly, to keep the app and the codes private.
3- The biometric method
For this method to work, you will have to provide physical proof of your identity. An example of that can be a fingerprint scan or iris recognition. You will have to introduce this information when you create your account and scan your fingerprint or iris everytime you want to access it. Face recognition is also a popular option.
4- Notifications
Notifications are another popular method of 2FA. Whenever a new device tries to log into your account, you will receive a notification informing you about it. Here, you will have the option to either approve or decline the request. If it is you, you should click on approve and if it is not you and someone you do not know is trying to access your account you should click on deny.
How safe is two factor authentication
There is no doubt that 2FA definitely adds more security, privacy or safety to your accounts. And of course, doing everything we can to keep our accounts and personal information secure is very important to keep you safe from frauds and hackers.
Of course, 2FA is prone to different attacks and cyber threats. However, it is still better than the old ways of protection on the internet and is always recommended to anyone who uses the internet.
To be more safe, it is advised to not link your 2FA to your personal phone number or email address since they are easy to track and hack. It is also possible to add more than 2FA methods for better protection. But whatever you choose to do, remember that safety comes before anything on the internet and it is crucial to protect yourself and your data as much as possible.
What Is Two Factor Authentication And How Does It Work
Everyone these days uses the internet at least once every day. People tend to have on the internet a lot of their personal information which is why it is important to make sure they are safe from hackers or third parties. Passwords are the most famous and the old fashioned way to access our accounts and keep it, along with our data and personal information safe. However, a new system emerged, known as two factor authentication, also known as 2FA. It delivers extra protection and safety to your accounts here we will discuss its importance and how two factor authentication works.
What is two factor authentication?
Two step authentication is a system that works to provide two ways to verify that it is you who is accessing your account. In fact, it adds an extra layer of security to your accounts on the internet.
Two factor authentication or 2FA consists of you providing some sort of proof or private information. Any information that only you would know and you will have access to your account only after you enter this specific information.
Why is two factor authentication important?
The rates of cybercrime are rising each and every day and everyone has most of his life on his laptop or cellphone such as his bank account details, his contacts, his messages and other important and private matters. Old ways are not the most secure when it comes to protecting your data and the old ways of protection are not effective in the face of more modern and advanced threats. Making sure that all of your data is safe should be your top priority.
2FA works really well when it comes to protection and is a good way to keep everything secure. Their whole point is to increase your privacy and provide you with the security a simple password can’t.
After knowing what two factor authentication does and its importance, you might ask yourself how does two factor authentication work, and here is the answer to your question.
How does two factor authentication work?
There are different types of 2FA and each one of them works in a certain way to make sure that you are the only one who can have access to your accounts and your data. Here is an overview on what are the most popular types of 2FA and how they work to provide you with extra security:
1- Text messages on your phone number
This one is probably the most popular method and here is how it works. You will have to register your mobile’s phone number while signing up into your account. Whenever you sign in to your account, you will receive a text message containing a code that you will have to enter to be able to access your account. It is also possible to receive a voice message or even a phone call depending on the option you choose.
2- Applications
Applications are the second way. You will have to link the application to your account. The application will generate a different code each time you log in to your account that you will have to enter to access it. A new code will be generated every 30 seconds or so. It is crucial to be fast when logging in and most importantly, to keep the app and the codes private.
3- The biometric method
For this method to work, you will have to provide physical proof of your identity. An example of that can be a fingerprint scan or iris recognition. You will have to introduce this information when you create your account and scan your fingerprint or iris everytime you want to access it. Face recognition is also a popular option.
4- Notifications
Notifications are another popular method of 2FA. Whenever a new device tries to log into your account, you will receive a notification informing you about it. Here, you will have the option to either approve or decline the request. If it is you, you should click on approve and if it is not you and someone you do not know is trying to access your account you should click on deny.
How safe is two factor authentication
There is no doubt that 2FA definitely adds more security, privacy or safety to your accounts. And of course, doing everything we can to keep our accounts and personal information secure is very important to keep you safe from frauds and hackers.
Of course, 2FA is prone to different attacks and cyber threats. However, it is still better than the old ways of protection on the internet and is always recommended to anyone who uses the internet.
To be more safe, it is advised to not link your 2FA to your personal phone number or email address since they are easy to track and hack. It is also possible to add more than 2FA methods for better protection. But whatever you choose to do, remember that safety comes before anything on the internet and it is crucial to protect yourself and your data as much as possible.
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