Passwords have always been that one way that you can keep your accounts online “secure.” Only you know your password so only you should be able to access it, right? Sure, but that doesn’t mean your account can’t be accessed.
Nowadays, just a password isn’t enough. Having one layer of security will not protect you against a cyberattack. When you’re running a business, there’s even more at stake than just your personal information. Here are a few basic reasons why every business should require two factor authentication:
- ⅔ of all users on the internet use one password for all of their accounts online. If even one of their accounts ends up getting hacked, the hacker gets access to them all.
- Advanced hackers can run billions of different password combinations to crack your password within seconds.
- Most hackers can crack 90% of all passwords within a six hour window.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication is basically an added layer of security for your account. It is a way that websites can make sure that the person trying to access your account is in fact you and not a hacker. This is something you would need to have activated anyway as a person but as a business it becomes even more important. You need to make sure that you and every single one of your employees has 2 factor authentication on so no one can hack your system through an employees account either.
When you have two factor authentication turned on, whenever you type out your password to log-in, you’ll have to prove it is actually you who’s logging in. Websites can do this in different ways
- Through a code: Most websites send a code to your phone or email address every time you log in. You have to type in that code to be able to access your account. This is the most common way of two factor authentication used on the internet.
- Via a security question: Some websites allow you to choose this option instead if you can’t have access to a phone all the time. In this, every time you log in, you also have to type out your security question, one that you choose when you’re setting up two factor authentication or when you first make your account. Without the combination of the two, you can’t log in.
- Biometric verification: With newer phones, this has als become an option. Once you log in, the website will ask you to also scan your fingerprint to ensure that you’re the real owner of the account.
These additional steps ensure that even if someone guesses your password, they won’t gain access to your account without also having access to your email/phone, your security question or your fingerprints.
How to use two-factor authentication to secure your business
If your company uses cloud-based softwares, or if your employees are required to log in through a virtual desktop, make sure they’re using two factor authentication so no imposter can be in your system.
Anywhere where your employees (and you) need to log in, needs to be protected by two factor authentication. It is the best way to protect your business from a cyberattack.
With two factor authentication, you minimise the risk of a cyberattack but it’s still not 100% eliminated. Always use multiple cyber security protocols together to ensure maximum security of your data online.
