I remember vividly. It was a beautiful Saturday morning. My friend Alex and I were having a chill time, cracking jokes and having a drink.
What happened a few minutes later will shock you.
My phone was ringing, so I excused myself to go answer the call, on getting back I saw my friend Alex with a sad face, tears about to come out from the right eye, and he was staring deeply on his phone screen.
I was astounded and confused because this is the same person I was having a chill time with a few minutes ago.
So I asked him, Alex, what exactly is wrong, he did not answer for like a few seconds and finally said all his accounts had been hacked. Including his facebook where he has all his cat pictures, twitter account, and instagram business account.
Even though I used the same password for all of my accounts. it’s a very strong password; he whispered to me.
We have plenty of Alex out there who still thinks having a strong password alone is enough.
It is not!.
Strong password is very good, but don’t use it alone, and that is where 2FA (Two Factor authentication)comes in.
Assuming my friend Alex was using 2FA, look at how it will play out
The hacker will try his best to crack Alex account password, let’s say he succeeded in cracking the password, he will be asked to input the code sent to Alex mobile number or email, or through the Authenticator app.
The hacker can’t proceed because he can’t access the code, and that is why Two factor authentication is very powerful.
Today in this article, I will be educating you on what two factor authentication really is and how you can use it to stay safe online.
What Exactly is 2FA ?
In the digital world, 2FA is an extra layer of security that makes it harder for bad guys to break into your online accounts, even if they have your password.
Think of your password as your door first lock. It’s important to have a strong password that’s hard to guess, but even the strongest password can be stolen or hacked.
2FA is like the second lock on your door. It adds an extra step to the login process, so even if someone has your password, they can’t get into your account without the second factor.
Why Should Everyone Enable 2 Factor Authentication ?
- Better Security: 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your online accounts. By requiring a second factor beyond just your password, it makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain entry even if they have your password.
- Incase Of Password Breaches: Incase there is a password breach, 2FA acts as a second line of defense, preventing unauthorized access even if your password has been compromised. This is crucial for protecting sensitive information such as email accounts, financial accounts, and social media profiles.
- Increased Peace of Mind for Online Users: Using 2FA can provide a greater sense of security and peace of mind when engaging in online activities. Knowing that your accounts are protected with an extra layer of defense can reduce anxiety and give you peace of mind.
- Reduced Risk of Data Breaches and Identity Theft: Data breaches and identity theft can have huge consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and emotional distress. 2FA plays a critical role in mitigating these risks by making it much harder for criminals to steal personal information and access sensitive accounts.
2 Factor Authentication Methods.
- SMS-based 2FA: This method sends a one-time passcode (OTP) to your mobile phone via SMS. You will need to enter this code into the website or app in order to log in.
- App-based 2FA: This method uses an app on your mobile phone to generate OTPs. You will need to enter this code into the website or app in order to log in.
- Hardware token-based 2FA: This method uses a physical token to generate OTPs. You will need to enter this code into the website or app in order to log in.
- Biometric authentication: This method uses your fingerprint, facial recognition, or iris scan to verify your identity.
V. Setting Up 2FA
Now that we understand the significance of 2 Factor Authentication (2FA), let’s see how we can implement it securely across various platforms. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of enabling 2FA on popular platforms.
A. Step-by-Step Guide on Enabling 2FA
- Email Accounts:
a. Navigate to your account settings.
b. Look for the security or privacy section.
c. Locate the 2FA or Two-Step Verification option and follow the on-screen instructions. - Social Media: a. Visit your account settings or security settings.
b. Find the option for Two-Factor Authentication.
c. Choose your preferred method (e.g., authentication app or SMS) and complete the setup. - Banking and Financial Accounts:
a. Access your account settings or security settings.
b. Look for 2FA or Two-Step Verification.
c. Follow the provided instructions to enable 2FA, often involving an authentication app or a verification code sent via SMS.
B. Tips for Choosing a Secure Second Factor
- Authentication Apps Over SMS:
a. Opt for authentication apps (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy) instead of relying solely on SMS.
b. Authentication apps provide a more secure and offline method for generating codes, reducing the risk of interception. - Backup Codes:
a. Generate and securely store backup codes provided by the platform during 2FA setup.
b. These codes can be used as a fallback in case you lose access to your primary 2FA method. - Biometric Options:
a. Explore platforms that offer biometric authentication as a second factor. - b. Fingerprint or facial recognition adds an extra layer of convenience and security.
Conclusion.
Securing our online reputation is our responsibility. We should always do what we can to keep our online environment safe. 2FA should be implemented in all your accounts online.
I want you to enable 2fa right now on all your social media accounts. I also want you to share this article so that others can see the article and learn from it.