What is multifactor authentication?
It's a little in the word. Everyone knows the most common form of login in digital tools, namely passwords. By adding at least one more layer of protection, we get multi-factor. MFA stands for multifactor authentication, or multifactor authentication, and we can combine the factors below and thus increase security significantly.
In addition to username and password, a secondary factor is required to authorize login. Today, you use this type of login on, among other things, the online bank and the tax administration's pages (BankID, MinID, Buypass). For multi-factor, it is common to talk about at least one secondary factor in addition to passwords, which can be an SMS, an authorization application, code chip, fingerprint, PIN, etc. The purpose of setting up a two-factor authentication is to avoid passwords and user account is stolen. Should your password go astray, in addition to your password, they must have the secondary factor you need to authenticate that it is you.
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Different ways to attack
A common attack method is Brute-force attacks. This method is readily available and is not new on the market. This method attacks by trying and intruding on your personal accounts, by testing different letters, numbers and characters in combinations and often starts with common words and phrases. The application continues until it gets in, is blocked by the service provider or is stopped by the criminal. This type of attack is easier if the password is something you can find or guess if you know something about the person you are trying to hack. Examples of this could be your full name, the names of family members or pets.
Protect your private accounts
Through Microsoft Authenticator you can also set up a multifactor authentication for your private accounts, such as LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. See how to set this up for the various channels in social media here .
Because it is so easy to find passwords and gain access to personal and corporate accounts with today's automated cybercrime and intelligent fraud methods, one can be vulnerable despite being careful and vigilant. Despite long passwords with various combinations, one may be at risk of being robbed of sensitive information or let unwanted into your or your company's PC. Therefore, it is important to always set up two-factor authentication every time you land on to a service that offers this. All Microsoft applications support this.
If you want to learn more about multi-factor authentication and how to set it up, get in touch.
