2 Step Authentication – What is it? Why should you have it? And Shame On The Websites That Don’t!
2 Step Authentication – What is it? Why should you have it? And Shame On The Websites That Don’t!
2 STEP AUTHENTICATION FACTOR – WHAT IS IT?
2 step authentication factor is simply a system to secure your logins into any website whether it is your bank or any other online accounts you have.
I will tell you in a few why you should have it and why it is so important to have the 2 step authentication factor enabled on all your accounts.
Two-step authentication is a must today; passwords are useless because when there will be a breach of a database, let’s say for example hackers will breach the database of your bank’s website, your password will leak and be known to them along with all your other personal information. As such, enabling a 2 step authentication factor is CRUCIAL!
2 STEP AUTHENTICATION FACTOR – “HOW DO I IMPLEMENT IT?”
Simply head over to the website you wish to secure, log in with your username or email and password; once logged in, access the settings within your profile (each site has different ways to navigate to the settings/profile section); look for “privacy or security or password”; there you will find the 2 step authentication factor security setting. Simply turn it on and you will be prompted to input your phone number (your cell number) a number that can accept text messages.
Do NOT use your landline phone number
Do NOT use your landline phone number for the 2 step authentication or you won’t be able to receive SMS text messages from the website you are logging into.
You will receive the first text message to confirm and verify your identity and that indeed this cell number belongs to you. After receiving the first text message to enable the 2 step authentication security measure, it will show “enabled” and or “ON”. Done, voila’.
Now, going forward, anytime you login into this particular website, after entering your email address and after entering your password, there will be this additional step you need to take.
Simply copy it and paste/type it into the window prompt of the website you are trying to access. You will now be able to enter your website and you can be proud of yourself for having enabled the 2 step authentication factor :).
Now you do not have to worry about someone else breaching or logging in into your bank’s website, or any other online accounts you own, you won’t have to worry that your identity and personal information will get exposed and compromised as a result of not using a two-step authentication login method.
2 STEP AUTHENTICATION METHOD – SHAME ON THE WEBSITES THAT DON’T USE IT
This is where I get shocked. As an IT expert, security consultant, and tech person I truly do not understand why on Earth, a website that contains your important personal information like your social security number, financial information, etc., does not have or implement the 2 step authentication login method.
Why??? No, I did not type the question mark three times by accident, it is simply my astonishment for not being able to even start conceiving why such a CRUCIAL feature of authentication and security would not be enabled on important online accounts by some companies including the leading ones!
My Story
The other day I was looking to switch my accounting software and to see if I could find a better accounting solution for my business necessities and I stumbled upon this reputable and legitimate and quite popular company. I won’t mention the name because I do not wish to offend anyone’s reputation, the point of this article is to hopefully help you implementing the 2 step authentication security login method (for your safety and security).
Continuing with the story, I signed up for a trial with this new accounting company, I thought: let me give it a try and see if it has good features. I was interested in their multiple connections with several merchants and online platforms. However, the very first thing I noticed when navigating to their profile/settings and password security section, is that they DID NOT HAVE the 2 step authentication feature. WOW!
WOW!
I am supposed to connect all my financial information, multiple accounts that handle the financial activities of my business including disclosing my personal information, my social security number, and more and they had nothing in place to protect all of that??????????????? Too many question marks, I know. 🙂
When I asked them about the two-step authentication factor, they said they did not have it in place yet. Yet?
DATA LEAKS
I do not have to tell you how many database breaches are happening as we speak and will continue to happen because no system, no network, no computers are secure 100%, it is just not possible. For every measure, there is always a countermeasure. No computer system is perfect and hacker-proof.
There will always be vulnerabilities and holes that can be exploited.
The conclusion is that a big company and even a small one when dealing with important financial and personal information, should do anything and everything to secure their data and to protect your identity.
2 Step Authentication Cost Offset
A 2 step authentication security feature is not a big deal anymore in terms of implementing it, obviously, it will cost the company more money to get this feature but in turn, they will not only secure your information but theirs too and avoid a ginormous class action lawsuits for leaked data. Even from a financial POV, it makes sense to spend that money and secure your system which can offset a colossal amount of money down the road along with so many other potential problems.
TO USE 2 STEP AUTHENTICATION BEYOND IMPORTANT WEBSITES
The thinking goes something like this:
I will only turn on 2 step verification for significant websites, the other websites I am registered to that are not serious, I do not have to set the two-step verification login method.
WRONG!
I will explain why you should set the 2 step authentication and verification method for ALL YOUR WEBSITES, not just your bank, not just the sites that hold super sensitive and personal information about you. WHY?
Here is an example that will make sense to you:
Let’s say you have opened an account with your favorite restaurant or take-out place or your favorite shopping site, and you might be thinking, the worst they can do if they log in, is they will attempt to make a food order without me knowing it.
You would get an email notification from your take-out place letting you know that your favorite pasta was just ordered, and the most harmful part will be a couple of hundred dollars out of your account. You will call the food place to cancel, your bank to get the money back and all is resolved, right? NO.
Unfortunately for you, the person that logged in did not just make an order to harm your account or deplete your money but they actually have your physical address, first and last name, phone number, all data that you had to give to the website when you registered.
It Isn’t Just A Food/Take-Out Website
It isn’t just a food/take-out website, it is a container of your personal information, think of it as a safety box! The hacker can now use this information of yours to target a more complex attack on you and this time being able to impersonate you because they got your name, address, and phone number. The next attack won’t be so superficial, the next attack won’t be just a take-out order made on your behalf without your consent but more than that.
So you see, the more the hacker knows about you, the more they can attack you and from different and multiple angles and more chances of success.
This should make you re-think when logging in to a non-serious/non-financial website about setting up the 2 step authentication factor there too.
GET THE 2 STEP CODE VIA EMAIL INSTEAD WITHOUT USING YOUR PHONE?
Is this a good idea? Is it a good idea to use a two-step method via email? This means that instead of getting an SMS via phone to verify your login into a website, you would get a code sent to your email instead. I do believe this is not as secure as the phone verification unless you have a 2 step authentication factor setup for your email as well.
I just think that if someone already has access to your email, then when getting the 2 step code sent to your inbox, will be a bad idea, won’t it?
Physical access to your phone is the hardest part because when working behind a network, any hacker or attacker cannot access your phone but they could do that too. How? Well, the obvious answer would be to get hold of your phone which is why it is also good to have a pin or code before accessing your phone; but the other thing an intruder could do is to hack into your phone.
It Might Come As A Surprise To You
It might come as a surprise to you but there are attacks executed on a cell phone like sending a text message with a link that once clicked, allows the attacker to gain full control. In this case, the 2 step authentication factor won’t do you any good because they can now access that code sent by one of your online accounts/websites they are trying to intrude.
2 STEP AUTHENTICATION VERIFICATION VIA PHONE WITH AN ALMOST IMPENETRABLE SOLUTION
You are probably thinking that the 2 step authentication method is not secure either; you are correct and not.
In fact, you want to ensure that your phone cannot be hacked and you want to guarantee that the attacker cannot have access to this second step code/SMS, as such, you need to adopt my simple solution (opens in a new tab).
What is this solution to secure your phone which again would not allow the thief to access your text messages and enter any online accounts of yours? What can make your phone unhackable, impenetrable, and invincible to online attacks?
For The Solution, Go To: JUMP TO THE SOLUTION > (opens in a new tab)
For the solution, you can go here: JUMP TO THE SOLUTION > (opens in a new tab)
There I give a chance to you, the reader to implement this solution to truly secure a two-step authentication method with your phone; particularly in the sense that no one will be able to access your cell phone text messages from the Internet and gain access to the 2-step password/code. However, there is no solution to guaranteeing they can’t steal it from you physically obviously.
My solution is not genius at all, in fact, you will be surprised to discover that it is extremely simple but technology can stray us away or lead us in the wrong direction sometimes; it can spoil us and can slow down our critical thinking that no one sees the obvious solutions anymore.
In Front Of Our Eyes
Sometimes, the solution is right in front of us and we cannot see it. For instance, and for a bit of fun, try answering this not so obvious quiz:
Some months have 31 days, while others have 30. How many have 28?
What is your answer? Think of it.
Is your answer 1?
You most likely answered only 1 month has 28 days because of February; however, all 12 months of the year have 28 days in them!
Just one more for a bit more fun. Then, I suggest and invite you to go get my solution to the 2 step authentication factor via a secure phone.
Here it is:
Say the word “silk” five times…
Now, spell the word “silk” out loud.
What do cows drink?
I know what you answered and it is wrong.
They drink water, silly, not milk!
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope you had a bit of fun and moreover found my article helpful. If you wish to secure the 2 step authentication factor via your phone in a way where no online attackers can take control of your phone/text messages, go to the SOLUTION > (opens in a new tab).
GET THE SOLUTION TO SECURE YOUR PHONE FOR A SECURE SMS VERIFICATION METHOD
GET THE SOLUTION NOW > (opens in a new tab)
NOTE: Do not call or contact us regarding this article and the 2 step authentication method. Therefore, we cannot help you further. This article tries to help you by clarifying what is the 2 step authentication verification factor and why you should use it. Hence, I suggest a simple solution to secure your phone from hackers that could access your text SMS messages and therefore gain access to your online accounts secured with a 2 step authentication method.
CHECK OUT MY OTHER ARTICLE to secure your online identity > https://longislandpctech.com/i-cant-login-into-my-credit-karma-account/ (opens in a new tab).
If you just skipped to here, you should read the article above. My name is Marc, an IT expert, security consultant, web designer, SEO expert, advertiser/marketer, small entrepreneur, and inventor.
Need a website design for your business or vanity? An online e-commerce shop selling your products? I can accomplish it all remotely, and I accept payments via Square, Paypal, email link, and via phone.
So Long!
Wish to be invincible against any online threats, viruses, hackers, and trojans? Check out my invention: Popnsurf™ (opens in a new tab), it’s people’s secret (my sister-website).
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Get The SIMPLE Solution To Secure Your Phone SMS Messages (opens in a new tab)
