How to Keep Your App Protected With Two-Factor Authentication

In 2022, almost everyone owns multiple online accounts for various services and businesses. Each account has a password, but not all accounts require the user to establish a two-factor authentication system (2FA). If you have encountered the 2FA system before, you might find the extra step a little irritating, but here’s why we at Semaphore Mobile advocate for two-factor authentication for your digital presence—whether you’re a user or a business owner.

First, let’s discuss what two-factor authentication is and how it works.

Sometimes known as two-step verification or dual-factor authentication, a 2FA system ensures security by requiring users to provide two different authentication factors to identify themselves. The first layer of authentication is typically the traditional password combined with a username or email. However, if a password is compromised, the user’s data is suddenly available to anyone looking for it.

Two-factor authentication reduces this risk by requiring one more step before granting access. These days, the most common form of second-level authentication uses your mobile device. Once a user correctly enters their password, the two-factor authentication system identifies their information and sends a randomized passcode to the user’s phone. Then, the passcode is entered, and access is granted.

If someone gains access to a user’s password, they will be denied access when they cannot bypass the second authentication as they will not have access to the user’s mobile device.

Reports from Europol’s European Cybercrime Center (2022) prove that ransomware hackers commonly give up once they encounter multi-factor authentication systems. Such protection benefits not only the user’s data but also the organizations.

It’s unlikely these threats will ever disappear, no matter how many levels of authentication exist. The Digital Age is fluid and constantly changing, which means new troubles will continue appearing. But both businesses and individual users should take advantage of the evolving security measures to reduce their risk as much as possible.

Two-factor authentication is currently one of the best strategies to protect online accounts. By randomizing security codes for each user, anyone with malicious interests will find themselves struggling to gain access to highly valuable data.

For the user, this means less worry. For the company, you can ensure your users—and yourself—that all sensitive information will remain in the proper hands.

Speak with a Semaphore Mobile representative to learn more about how we can help you bolster your online security needs.