What is Two Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication or 2FA is a technology that keeps your various accounts secure against potential hacks. However, not a lot of people know or make use of this. Either the website or app doesn’t provide it, or you might be negligent and put it off for another day.

We know security processes are pretty exhausting to deploy, and it can be tiring for you. However, this simple security measure will take very little time to implement and enhance your security to a great extent.

What is Two-Factor Authentication Or 2FA?

Two-factor authentication is a simple security measure that adds an extra level of security to your account. There are several kinds of 2FA; some of the common ones are:

OTP:

When you sign in to an account, you enter your login credentials. Instead of going to your home page or profile, the platform will send an OTP to either your mail ID or phone number. You’ll have to enter this, and only then can you log in.

Push Notification:

Instead of sending an OTP to your number or email ID, the platform sends you a notification that indicates someone is trying to log in to your account. You can then either allow or deny access. There are other kinds of 2FA, like asking you security questions and non-password-based 2FA methods. The former is slowly fading out of fashion since anyone who knows you could answer the security questions.

Why Is 2FA Necessary For Users?

Too Many Accounts Too Many Passwords:

We all have various accounts on a variety of apps and websites. After a point, you’re bound to forget the passwords for more than one account on several occasions. A non-password-based 2FA can not only keep your account secure but can allow you to access your account without your password.

Password Vulnerability

In today’s digital world, your passwords can easily be cracked by hackers. Every system’s code has numerous loopholes. These loopholes make it pretty simple for hackers to find out your password and access your account. In such cases, when there’s an attempt, a 2FA would come to your rescue and prevent any harm that could’ve been caused.

Data And Identity Theft

Assuming someone’s identity in an online world is becoming increasingly simple for hackers. If a hacker accesses your account, you’re pretty much doomed. They’ll steal your data, pose as you, and they might also access your other accounts if you tend to keep similar passwords.

Accounts That Need 2FA

Some important accounts that need two-factor authentication:

  • Banking apps
  • Social media
  • E-commerce websites
  • E-mail
  • Online cloud storages
  • Task management

Guess these are enough reasons for you to set up 2FA for your accounts. In reality, though, you can never be too careful with your accounts and data.

Anything that’s there on the internet is quite vulnerable to malicious activity. 2FA is just one step or the first step you can take to keep your accounts safe. It barely takes two minutes to set up, and a little effort goes a long way!

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