Today, we store our most essential bits and pieces online as data. This sensitive data is usually protected by a password, which is quite possibly the most popular security measure available to most users. However, with ‘123456’ and ‘password’ being the most common choices in 2024, password security leaves much to be desired.
Moreover, passwords are the leading cause of data breaches and identity theft. Therefore, many people, companies, and users are turning to multifactor authentication or MFA. It is because it provides a much more secure alternative to the hassle of passwords. Our guide covers detailed information about it. Read on to learn about it.
What is multi-factor authentication?
Multi-factor authentication is the process of identifying and verifying a user by validating two or more of their claims.
It is based on the basic principle that all authentication factors, such as passwords, have shortcomings, and no authentication method is perfect. If two more factors are implemented, they will work together to compensate for each other’s weaknesses to provide a more secure authentication system.
Multi-factor authentication integrates the following key elements:
- A password or PIN (i.e., information that the user knows)
- A mobile device (i.e., a device belonging to the user)
- A fingerprint or voice recognition (i.e., a specific trait belonging to the user)
If you find the term ‘Multi-factor authentication’ unfamiliar, chances are you’ve probably heard it used as ‘2-factor authentication or ‘2-step authentication.’
Why is MFA necessary?
Until now, you’ve familiarized yourself with the fundamentals of multifactor authentication. An obvious question lurking around in the chamber of your mind might be, “What on earth is all the fuss about?”
You need to get your creative juices flowing to better grasp the impact that multifactor authentication will have over time.
Imagine a house in the middle of nowhere, vulnerable to all sorts of threats- from burglars to psychopathic serial killers. If you’re a responsible homeowner, you will try to secure your home as much as possible.
However, securing your personal information with a single 8-10 digit password is similar to ensuring all the doors in your make-believe house have locks. But leaving the windows wide open, inviting dangers into the home.
Considering this, users must integrate multi-factor authentication into the security measures taken to ensure the safety of the data present online.
How does multi-factor authentication benefit users
As mentioned above, MFA offers many benefits to users, the most obvious of which is heightened security.
Some other fruitful advantages of using multi-factor authentication include the following:
1- Makes the login process smooth and straightforward
MFA points towards an exaggerated and complicated process that would give you a headache as you try to log into your accounts.
On the contrary, however, this could not be further from the truth.
Along with its added security measures, the login process is much more user-friendly than traditional password protection. One way the authentication simplifies the login process is by providing advanced choices like single sign-on.
Single sign-on works by verifying the user’s identity through multifactor authentication. Once the login process is successful, users can access all the apps using the single sign-on software without logging into each app individually.
Logging into all of our accounts separately is tiresome. Combining multifactor authentication with single sign-on software speaks volumes about MFA’s practicality since it makes the login process easier for everybody.
2- Strengthens and promotes security
The fundamental that multi-factor was established allows security measures to overcome any weakness or vulnerability in one security factor. Including other authentication factors is a massive step towards improving cyber security and preventing various cyber crimes, such as social engineering attacks.
Moreover, the MFA application will allow users more control over the factors they utilize to protect their accounts.
One way various factors can have practical applications is by altering the security measures in your favor. An example of this can be seen when the user changes the security measure of a password or PIN by adding an alternative that is not as easy to guess.
Multi-factor authentication also provides a barrier to hackers by providing multiple adequate layers of protection. Unless a hacker or cyber-criminal knows about your security factors, gaining entry to your accounts is arduous.
3- Prevents identity and password theft
One of the most significant drawbacks of password-based authentication is that it plays a pivotal role in the millions of stolen identities. Identity theft is a crime that profits hackers with minimal risk.
More often, hackers steal identities quite quickly and then sell the stolen information on the online black market. In addition, password and identity theft is rapidly evolving. Malicious actors are now integrating keylogging, phishing attacks, and pharming into their thievery.
Sensitive information that a cybercriminal steals can be manipulated in various ways. The most common way to corrupt a user’s personal data is to destroy it or use it to spread religious or political propaganda.
However, MFA minimizes the risk of identity and password theft. It depends on multiple factors and layers of security measures to safeguard the user’s identity.
4-Invokes and promotes compliance
Many federal, state, and governmental compliance standards urge organizations to utilize multifactor authentication for certain security situations.
This means that many more organizations will now follow the updated guidelines on the use of MFA. Hence, promoting a much more secure environment for organizations and companies to grow and foster.
As a byproduct of implementing MFA, organizations will increase their compliance to increase security.
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About the Author
Waqas is a cybersecurity journalist and writer who has a knack for writing technology and online privacy-focused articles. He strives to help achieve a secure online environment and is skilled in writing topics related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, Cloud security, and a lot more. As seen in: Computer.org, Nordic APIs, Infosecinstitute.com, Tripwire.com, and VentureBeat.
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