What is MFA and why EVERYONE should use it

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a type of authentication method that requires users to provide more than one verification factor to an application, online account, or other resources.

Applications and services are quickly adopting some type of MFA to secure users’ accounts. Some companies that already adopted some level of multi-factor authentication are Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, and various financial institutions such as Bank of America or Charles Schwab.

Apart from asking for the username and password, MFA requires an additional verification factor. This can be answering specific security questions, providing a code received through your email or cellphone, or verifying the access on a separate device.

The goal of MFA having this second layer of security is to make it harder for an unauthorized person to access that device, account, or network. If one of the layers of information gets compromised, the attacker still has to go through other barriers before accessing the target information.

There are usually three different elements for a multi-factor authentication:

1. Knowledge: any protected information that you, as the user, know. This is the most common type of authentication, and the most prone to phishing attacks. Common examples are:-  Passwords,
   –  Answers to personal security questions,
   –  And PINs for credit and debit cards.
2. Possession: physical objects that you, the user, can have. This authentication factor is commonly used throughout applications since this is the easiest way to prevent common cyberattacks. This is because the attacker will not have the ability to see the generated one-time password (OTP) that the physical device will produce. Some examples are:-  One-time passwords generated by smartphone applications,
   –  One-time passwords sent via text or email,
   –  USB devices, tokens, access badges, fobs, or security keys,
   –  And software tokens.
3. Inherence: part of your body can be used for verification. Biometric authentication is becoming increasingly popular because it is the hardest to hack and easiest for users. This type of authentication uses something unique to every user to verify the user’s identity. Biometric authentication includes:-  Fingerprint scanning,
   –  Facial recognition,
   –  Retina scans,
   –  And voice verification.

These three elements are commonly matched together to bring the user a more secure experience. A user can provide a username and password and also provide a one-time password sent via a text message. Or the user can access their device through either a password or through a fingerprint scan.

There are other types of multi-factor authentication as companies make more elaborated methods to analyze the user’s behavior. One example is a location-based MFA. This kind of MFA checks for the user’s location through the IP address or geo-location. If the person trying to access the device or application is not within a specified location, the application can block the person from accessing the device.

Why should you be using multi-factor authentication?

Although helpful, sometimes MFA can be considered a hindrance to someone’s experience. Sometimes you just don’t have your phone with you, or it’s hard to access your email. However, setting up an MFA in your accounts is crucial for your protection.

Not even big companies are safe from cyber-attacks: Facebook, for example, suffered a data breach in April 2019 that impacted 533 million users. With that said, you need to strengthen your privacy online. By adding a second layer of protection, you can block up to 99% of bulk phishing attacks.

No matter if you’re protecting your Facebook account or your bank account information, adding multiple layers of security can protect your identity and privacy throughout the internet.

Skyline IT Services

Skyline IT Services is a San Diego-based Technology Solution Provider, delivering a comprehensive suite of support services to small and medium-sized businesses throughout Southern California. We pride ourselves on bringing affordable quality IT services throughout San Diego.

We are here to provide any tech support you need – even if it is dealing with Multi-Factor Authentication. Our support techs can quickly dispatch to all parts of San Diego County, and provide fast and reliable support online.

At Skyline IT Services, our customers hold us in high regard just as we value their information systems. Skyline IT Services is synonymous with: Experience, Quality, Value, and Professionalism. Skyline IT Services offers managed IT Support and Services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in addition to IT consulting for businesses of all sizes.