Two-Factor Authentication: An Easy Way to Make it Hard for Hackers

Have you heard the news? Passwords are old-school methods of authenticating account logins. If you want to maximize the security of your business, using two-factor authentication is your best bet.

Why Passwords Aren’t Good Enough
Passwords might have been valuable once upon a time, at the dawn of computing when hacking was in its infancy, but thanks to advanced hacking techniques, finding out a user’s password has grown increasingly easy. In fact, all a hacker needs to do so is to trick a user into forking over sensitive information by posing as someone with authority through an email message or phone call (a tactic known as “phishing”). That’s right; it’s really that easy.

Granted, not all business professionals will fall for these simple tricks. Still, that doesn’t mean that your employees, who aren’t nearly as skeptical as you, won’t unintentionally throw your business under the bus by handing out your credentials like it’s candy on Halloween. As the owner of your business, it’s your responsibility to make sure that all of your infrastructure’s bases are covered.

Introducing Two-Factor Authentication
In the most basic terms, two-factor authentication is a way to make it more difficult for hackers to access your accounts. This is typically done by using a separate security credential that only you have access to. This additional security measure is often enough to dissuade hackers from attempting to access your network (or bank account, email, Facebook, etc.). For them, it’s simply a matter of risk and effort, versus the reward. If the return on investment isn’t worth the effort, they’ll probably leave you alone.

Some of the most popular methods of two-factor authentication include:

• SMS Message: A secondary code is sent to your smartphone. All you have to do is enter it when your account prompts you to and you’ll have access to your account.
• Email to a Secondary Address: If you’d rather not receive your authentication code with your phone, you can simply check your secondary email address for it.
• Voicemail: You can even have your security code sent to your phone’s voicemail, or in an automated voice call.
• Two-Factor Authentication Apps: Some accounts, like Google and Microsoft, allow for easy authentication simply by connecting your account to an application on your smartphone.

There are plenty of two-factor authentication choices out there. Preferred can help equip your business with the highest quality standard for your organization’s security solutions. Our services range from providing preventative measures, remote monitoring, and even offering two-factor authentication. Reach out to us at 708-781-7110 to find out more about how Preferred can assist your business.