Two-factor authentication: what is it and why is it used?

Security is a priority for everyone who uses the internet, no matter what they use it for. After all, there are many threats lurking in the world onlineLike account theft and all kinds of scams that can cause major headaches.

One of the most effective ways to ensure your devices are protected is to enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts, if possible. Below you can learn about Kaspersky’s security appliances, as well as what it is and why you should always use it.

What is two-factor authentication?

Almost all services online Current technologies (access to social networks, banks, records, etc.) offer two-factor authentication, which is nothing more than an additional layer of security when logging into an account.

For example, when you log in to your profile on a social network, the platform will always ask you to enter the password you saved. However, when enabling two-factor authentication, you will have to go through two “doors” before getting in. After the password, the second factor can be an SMS, acceptance via another social network or the addition of a code sent by email.

The idea is that to log in, the user not only needs to know the password (which can be stolen), but also needs to be able to access another device on which they are logged in. It is worth mentioning that two-factor authentication is not an infallible barrier, but it is a very effective way to prevent third-party access to your accounts.

Why should you use two-factor authentication?

We know that there are many risks and scams on the internet today, called phishing, which can be implemented due to the carelessness of the victim. Due to carelessness, one day you click on a malicious link and a criminal can gain access to one of your passwords.

When you decide to use two-factor authentication, you create an additional “wall” for the fraudster in addition to the password. There are many people who have difficulty creating complex passwords and end up saving simpler codes, leaving themselves vulnerable to outside attacks. When you enable this feature, even if the cybercriminal manages to discover one of your passwords, he will also need to access the second factor to access your accounts, which is much more difficult.

Therefore, when implemented well, a two-factor authentication system is very secure and can make the difference when you are about to fall victim to a scam. This system is especially important for accounts you use that can cause more damage if hacked, such as drives where you store files or banks you use.