Most internet users are familiar with the idea of using 2FA online. Most digital services use two-factor authentication to protect online accounts, and as such, users may encounter 2FA for email accounts, banking portals, and social media profiles. But what is 2FA, and how does it work? And, perhaps more importantly, what are the 2FA benefits for users?
What is 2FA?
2FA is a security process that requires users to verify their identities with two separate types of authentication factors. This is usually a password and something else the user has access to. Also known as two-step verification or dual-factor authentication, the system offers additional security to protect users’ credentials and minimizes the risk of unauthorized users accessing accounts. For this reason, using 2FA online is becoming increasingly common.
How does two-factor authentication work?
In general, using 2FA online is a multi-step process. Here’s how it works:
- The user accesses an application or website.
- They are prompted to enter their credentials – usually a username and password or personal identification number (PIN).
- The user’s account and profile are located on the server.
- The second verification step in the 2FA process is activated – the user will be prompted to offer biometrics or a one-time password sent to their registered mobile number.
- If the second step of the 2FA process is verified, the login attempt is approved and the user gains access to their account.
With these steps, it becomes much more challenging for unauthorized users to access an account. For example, if a user’s account password is hacked or appears in a data leak, enabling one of the 2FA examples listed below makes it far less likely that a hacker could access the account in question. As such, using 2FA online is more secure than the basic single-factor authentication - usually just a password – which used to be more common.
What are authentication factors?
While many internet users understand what 2FA is, they might not be aware that there are many different types of dual-layer authentication processes, all of which might need to be implemented differently. Essentially, these can be broken down into “authentication factors”, which are the different forms of verification. Here are some of the authentication factors commonly used in 2FA online:
Knowledge factors
Knowledge factors are usually snippets of information a user creates, such as a password, personal identification number (PIN), or answer to a security question. Alone, these are vulnerable – hackers can steal them in data breaches, with various hacking attempts, or through social engineering – which is why they’re now commonly paired with a secondary authentication factor.
Possession factor
As the name implies, possession factors are usually something physical the account holder has that is used to access the account, like a security token, authentication app, or smartphone. Most users who use 2FA will know possession factors as the one-time password sent to their phone as an SMS when trying to log into an account.
Biometric or inherent factor
With biometrics set up on so many electronic devices, many online accounts now use biometric factors such as users’ physical characteristics for verification – these can include fingerprints, facial recognition, or even speech recognition.
Location factor
Many devices can use GPS or Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to verify the location of an authentication attempt. This method, often referred to as a “location factor”, is useful for accounts that should only be accessed from specific sites, such as a company’s office.
Time factor
Time factors restrict when a user can access an account or verify an authentication and prevent access at other times.
Behavioral factors
In terms of behavioral factors, authentication systems can sometimes use artificial intelligence (AI) to create a baseline for a user’s usual behavior patterns and use these to verify their identity. If a user behaves unusually, such as accessing the account from an unknown IP address or using a slower typing speed, the 2FA system may reject the verification attempt.
For those wondering what 2FA exactly is, it’s simply the process that requires two different authentication factors to access an account. In most cases, the first would be a knowledge factor, such as a password. Possession factors are arguably the most common secondary factor, such as getting a one-time password on a phone though biometric factors like fingerprints and facial recognition are increasingly common.
MFA vs 2FA
Account verification can occur in different ways. Single-factor verification involves using one type of verification – usually the password a user chooses when setting up an account. By extension, multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to enable and verify their identities using multiple authentication vectors before gaining access to a particular service or account.
2FA is a type of MFA. The only difference is that 2FA only requires two authentication factors, while MFA may need more than two. In addition, to qualify as 2FA online, the system must require authentication factors from two different categories, as outlined below.
Benefits of 2FA
The increasingly digital world has highlighted the importance of 2FA. With each person owning multiple online accounts and sharing varying amounts of personal information online, it’s become even more essential to protect online activities. Passwords aren’t enough anymore. Using some form of multi-factor authentication can help reduce internet users’ vulnerability to hacking and further cybercrimes. It functions as an additional layer of security to ensure that only authorized persons gain access to specific accounts or information.
Some of the main 2FA benefits:
- It can help avoid frauds that require personal information, including identity theft and financial fraud.
- It minimizes the chance of cybercriminals accessing personal accounts, such as emails, and social media profiles. It even prevents online banking fraud.
- It reduces the risk of further attacks in case of passwords compromised in phishing scams or data breaches.
- For institutions, 2FA not only protects sensitive data but can also ensure compliance with governmental cybersecurity regulations.
- For businesses that host user accounts, it can increase customer trust by making them feel that the company is trying to keep their data secure.
Is 2FA secure?
While 2FA enhances online security, it doesn’t offer 100% protection. As with any technology, 2FA solutions may have inherent vulnerabilities that leave them vulnerable to hacking. Users must take additional steps to ensure their security because hackers can circumvent 2FA precautions by using phishing attacks or overwhelming users with authentication requests, both of which can trick users into accidentally granting hackers access to their accounts.
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind while using 2FA online:
- Opt for 2FA verification via authentication apps or biometrics, as these are more secure than SMS-based 2FA verification.
- If using SMS-based 2FA, check whether the system uses time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) – these usually expire within a minute, meaning attackers have very little time to get the code.
- Be suspicious of any attempts to steal 2FA verification. For example, some hackers may send a message saying that their SMS-based 2FA has been sent to a victim’s phone and ask the victim to provide the one-time password.
- Learn how 2FA verification works on commonly used accounts and pay attention to anything that seems unusual. For example, multiple verification requests rather than just two.
2FA for iPhone or other devices
Using 2FA on iPhones and other smartphones is critical to prevent phone hacking. These devices carry vast amounts of personal information. They are also trusted devices that can be used to control access to everything from bank accounts and emails to social media profiles and flight bookings. As such, many online providers require users to secure their accounts by linking them to a specific mobile phone number and enabling 2FA through SMS verification or authentication apps.
Some smartphone apps require 2FA to access accounts or execute transactions on these devices. iPhones, for example, now have biometric verification that uses built-in cameras for facial recognition. As such, facial recognition is often used for additional security on smartphones. For example, many banks now allow users to use facial recognition to access their digital banking apps and will also require this to make transactions. However, certain smartphones can also use in-built microphones for verification by voice recognition or even GPS for location verification.
Is 2FA required for gaming?
Like any other electronic device, gaming consoles are vulnerable to hacking and data breaches, including PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, etc. This puts players’ personal information – including passwords, names, and credit card information at risk and leaves them open to identity theft and other unethical practices. As such, gamers need to take precautions to secure their accounts, as they would for any other online account.
Some best practices for how to enable security for gaming accounts:
- Practice password hygiene: Use complicated passwords, change them regularly, and use a password manager.
- Enable 2FA on gaming accounts: Most platforms offer at least one 2FA option, including SMS authentication, authenticator apps, hardware tokens, or biometric verification.
- Never
use public Wi-Fi networks: Avoid accessing gaming accounts on
unsecured public Wi-Fi and use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect online activities.
How to set up two-factor authentication
There are various methods to enable 2FA on electronic devices. The specific steps will depend on the type of device and the type of 2FA verification being enabled.
In general, though, these are the steps to follow to enable 2FA on online accounts:
- While setting up the account, accept the prompt to use 2FA (on existing accounts, this option is usually found under settings).
- The user will usually be prompted to enter a mobile phone number to use for SMS-based verification with time-based one-time passwords.
- If options for different types of 2FA are available, choose the most appropriate one. This may require setting up facial recognition on the device or downloading and setting up the appropriate authentication app, for example.
Related Articles and Links:
- How to find the best antivirus for gaming
- What is smishing and how to defend against it
- Mac Security: A comprehensive guide to securing your MacBook
- Changing passwords: Best ways to keep your passwords safe and organise
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