Unfortunately, the action of hackers has grown in the same proportion as technological advancements. With the increase in access tools, resources, and solutions, the action of intruders, who steal data and practice cybercrimes, has also been intensified.

Therefore, having just one password to protect banking app accounts, emails, and social networks is no longer enough to maintain user safety.

In this context, two-factor authentication arises, acting as an extra barrier of protection to make unauthorized access more difficult.

Want to know more about this feature and find out why you should adopt it to avoid scam attempts? Continue reading and check out the article that the CodeBlog team prepared for you.

What is two-factor authentication?

Also known as two-step verification, two-factor authentication is a security feature used in online services that adds an extra layer of security to the login process.

In practice, the feature adds an additional layer of security, requiring the user to provide two forms of authentication.

The first, most of the time, is the password.

The second varies according to the service, but is usually an SMS or code sent by email. Thus, when logging in, it is necessary to know not only the password but also the code sent to prove your identity.

This way, if one of them is lost, stolen, misplaced, or used incorrectly, the other will still be there to protect your account and prevent a potential intrusion. In short, two-factor authentication is named exactly because it uses two layers of security during login.

What is two-factor authentication used for?

Basically, two-factor authentication serves to make personal and corporate accounts (such as emails, bank accounts, social networks, etc.) more secure and to strengthen protection against intrusions and theft of information.

This is because, from the moment two factors are required (one you know and another you possess), it becomes harder for someone else to use your identity and access your accounts.

Even if your password leaks and is prone to attacks, criminals will hardly be able to access your account if there is more than one verification step, whether through a code sent to your phone, a token, or an extra key.

The importance of two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is key to protecting personal data and reducing the occurrence of cybercrimes, considering that password theft and leaks are becoming more common every day on the internet, and most users lack the knowledge and resources to deal with cyber threats.

According to a survey by Kaspersky Lab (a Russian tech company specializing in the production of internet security software) conducted worldwide, more than half of people use unreliable methods to remember their passwords. According to the study, 22% of users write their passwords in computer notepad files, and 11% on paper, usually kept in drawers.

Another worrying fact is that 72% of people access their accounts, shop online, and make banking transactions on public Wi-Fi networks — a high-risk behavior on the internet.

The survey also concluded that the accounts most hacked are emails (44%), social networks (42%), online store accounts (24%), and bank accounts (22%). The data shows how essential two-factor authentication is and, although not 100% foolproof (like no other method), it is capable of preventing several scams, account intrusions, and fraud on the internet.

How does two-factor authentication work?

The good news is that two-factor authentication operates very simply. In short, you just need to fill in a second piece of info after entering your login and password to access the site or app where it was enabled.

As mentioned before, this information can consist of a numerical code sent to your phone via SMS or a call in more common systems, and voice-based authentication, biometrics, or facial recognition in more advanced software.

A classic example of double verification is the bank ATM, which requests the card (something you possess) and the password (something you know) to perform operations.

Where to use two-step authentication

Ideally, you should use two-step verification on any account that offers this function. Among the main ones are:

Email

Considered the champion for intrusion attempts, email concentrates much of your personal information, so it is essential to enable two-factor authentication.

Bank account

Generally, banks, digital banks, and fintechs require two-factor authentication so that users can access their accounts and make transactions.

Thus, these institutions can prevent unauthorized access and protect against intrusions and potential financial losses.

Social networks

Social networks contain plenty of confidential data, such as contacts, chat conversations, address info, location, and much more.

For this reason, these accounts are constantly hacked by intruders who, besides committing crimes, often demand money so they won't delete or change information.

Therefore, it is extremely important to apply two-factor authentication to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn accounts, etc.

Messaging apps

WhatsApp, Instagram, and other instant messaging apps are also targets of intrusions.

In one of the most well-known scams, criminals impersonate the account holder to ask friends and family for money, claiming an emergency. Therefore, it is important to activate two-factor authentication in any app used to communicate with people in daily life.

Online stores

If you have accounts in many online stores and still tend to use similar passwords to access them, you'd better be careful. This is because, if someone hacks any of your online store accounts, they can easily make purchases in your name.

When in doubt, activate authentication whenever possible.

Conclusion

We hope this information can help keep your accesses safer.

If this article was interesting to you, take the chance to check out the 6 simple steps to keep your passwords more secure. And be sure to visit our website to learn more about CodeBit.

A big hug, and see you in the next post!