This is what you need to know about two-factor authentication
This is what you need to know about two-factor authentication
February 25, 2021
Two-factor authentication is one of the most important measures a company can take to ensure proper IT security. This overview explains what you need to know about two-factor authentication.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication simply means that two or more authentication methods are required to log into a digital platform.
Authentication methods
Something you are – such as facial recognition or fingerprints
Something you know – password, security questions, PIN code
Something you have – card, token or phone
An example of a combination of multiple authentication methods is when you withdraw money from an ATM: You have a bank card and a PIN code. If your bank card is stolen, it will not be possible to withdraw money without the code, or vice versa, because you need the bank card in addition to the PIN code.
An additional example is if you are logging into Microsoft 365. Then, it is not enough to just enter your password. After entering your password, you will receive a code via SMS, phone, or app. The code you receive must be entered to access your account. For the sake of clarity, we recommend using an app for two-factor authentication on Microsoft 365.
To log into your account, you must therefore have both the password and access to the phone with the registered phone number. In this way, two-factor authentication provides an extra level of security for logging in.
Two-factor authentication, two-step verification, two-step confirmation, MFA or 2FA? A beloved child may have many names, but the message remains the same: Verification with more than one step is one of the most important measures a company can take for good IT security!
Who needs two-factor authentication?
The short answer to this is: Everyone, always – without exception! Two-factor authentication is important for both businesses and individuals who use digital platforms in their daily lives. Do not hesitate to activate two-factor authentication! Two-factor authentication is the extra security level that will prevent unauthorized access to the company’s, and your personal, (sensitive) information, even if they manage to obtain the password.
Remember that there is also a risk of IT security breaches when using apps and platforms such as Email, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, your bank, or other investment platforms and the like.
Why do I need two-factor authentication?
It is easy to think that “as long as my password is securely stored, I also have good IT security.” But today there are countless ways to access your information, and passwords can be solved if someone knows your email address, full name, date of birth, or phone number.
And about half of all IT security breaches in The Dark Figure Survey 2020 were human. Poor IT security can lead to serious consequences for you, your customers, suppliers, and partners.
To prevent unauthorized access to your digital platforms, it will always be safer to use login with more than one step. And with two-factor authentication, the password alone will not work, because you need an additional variable that only you have access to, such as your phone or fingerprint.
We recommend thinking zero trust – that you always expect that the password has been leaked. It is a bit like going back to the front door to double-check that you actually locked it.
How do I activate two-factor authentication?
All major (and serious) internet services support two-factor authentication, and this should always be one of the requirements when choosing a new digital service provider!
We previously mentioned how two-factor authentication works for Microsoft 365. For our customers, we always use something called “Conditional Access.” This gives us control over who logs into which service by using parameters such as: which user, which location, which service? For example, if you log into a service at the office (secure location), you do not need two-factor authentication, but if you attempt to log in from abroad (unsecure location), you must always verify yourself with one or more steps.
Ready to activate two-factor authentication?
On Nettvett.no you will find a good overview of how to activate two-factor authentication for the most common platforms!
Two-factor authentication is one of the most important measures a company can take to ensure proper IT security. This overview explains what you need to know about two-factor authentication.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication simply means that two or more authentication methods are required to log into a digital platform.
Authentication methods
Something you are – such as facial recognition or fingerprints
Something you know – password, security questions, PIN code
Something you have – card, token or phone
An example of a combination of multiple authentication methods is when you withdraw money from an ATM: You have a bank card and a PIN code. If your bank card is stolen, it will not be possible to withdraw money without the code, or vice versa, because you need the bank card in addition to the PIN code.
An additional example is if you are logging into Microsoft 365. Then, it is not enough to just enter your password. After entering your password, you will receive a code via SMS, phone, or app. The code you receive must be entered to access your account. For the sake of clarity, we recommend using an app for two-factor authentication on Microsoft 365.
To log into your account, you must therefore have both the password and access to the phone with the registered phone number. In this way, two-factor authentication provides an extra level of security for logging in.
Two-factor authentication, two-step verification, two-step confirmation, MFA or 2FA? A beloved child may have many names, but the message remains the same: Verification with more than one step is one of the most important measures a company can take for good IT security!
Who needs two-factor authentication?
The short answer to this is: Everyone, always – without exception! Two-factor authentication is important for both businesses and individuals who use digital platforms in their daily lives. Do not hesitate to activate two-factor authentication! Two-factor authentication is the extra security level that will prevent unauthorized access to the company’s, and your personal, (sensitive) information, even if they manage to obtain the password.
Remember that there is also a risk of IT security breaches when using apps and platforms such as Email, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, your bank, or other investment platforms and the like.
Why do I need two-factor authentication?
It is easy to think that “as long as my password is securely stored, I also have good IT security.” But today there are countless ways to access your information, and passwords can be solved if someone knows your email address, full name, date of birth, or phone number.
And about half of all IT security breaches in The Dark Figure Survey 2020 were human. Poor IT security can lead to serious consequences for you, your customers, suppliers, and partners.
To prevent unauthorized access to your digital platforms, it will always be safer to use login with more than one step. And with two-factor authentication, the password alone will not work, because you need an additional variable that only you have access to, such as your phone or fingerprint.
We recommend thinking zero trust – that you always expect that the password has been leaked. It is a bit like going back to the front door to double-check that you actually locked it.
How do I activate two-factor authentication?
All major (and serious) internet services support two-factor authentication, and this should always be one of the requirements when choosing a new digital service provider!
We previously mentioned how two-factor authentication works for Microsoft 365. For our customers, we always use something called “Conditional Access.” This gives us control over who logs into which service by using parameters such as: which user, which location, which service? For example, if you log into a service at the office (secure location), you do not need two-factor authentication, but if you attempt to log in from abroad (unsecure location), you must always verify yourself with one or more steps.
Ready to activate two-factor authentication?
On Nettvett.no you will find a good overview of how to activate two-factor authentication for the most common platforms!
Two-factor authentication is one of the most important measures a company can take to ensure proper IT security. This overview explains what you need to know about two-factor authentication.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication simply means that two or more authentication methods are required to log into a digital platform.
Authentication methods
Something you are – such as facial recognition or fingerprints
Something you know – password, security questions, PIN code
Something you have – card, token or phone
An example of a combination of multiple authentication methods is when you withdraw money from an ATM: You have a bank card and a PIN code. If your bank card is stolen, it will not be possible to withdraw money without the code, or vice versa, because you need the bank card in addition to the PIN code.
An additional example is if you are logging into Microsoft 365. Then, it is not enough to just enter your password. After entering your password, you will receive a code via SMS, phone, or app. The code you receive must be entered to access your account. For the sake of clarity, we recommend using an app for two-factor authentication on Microsoft 365.
To log into your account, you must therefore have both the password and access to the phone with the registered phone number. In this way, two-factor authentication provides an extra level of security for logging in.
Two-factor authentication, two-step verification, two-step confirmation, MFA or 2FA? A beloved child may have many names, but the message remains the same: Verification with more than one step is one of the most important measures a company can take for good IT security!
Who needs two-factor authentication?
The short answer to this is: Everyone, always – without exception! Two-factor authentication is important for both businesses and individuals who use digital platforms in their daily lives. Do not hesitate to activate two-factor authentication! Two-factor authentication is the extra security level that will prevent unauthorized access to the company’s, and your personal, (sensitive) information, even if they manage to obtain the password.
Remember that there is also a risk of IT security breaches when using apps and platforms such as Email, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, your bank, or other investment platforms and the like.
Why do I need two-factor authentication?
It is easy to think that “as long as my password is securely stored, I also have good IT security.” But today there are countless ways to access your information, and passwords can be solved if someone knows your email address, full name, date of birth, or phone number.
And about half of all IT security breaches in The Dark Figure Survey 2020 were human. Poor IT security can lead to serious consequences for you, your customers, suppliers, and partners.
To prevent unauthorized access to your digital platforms, it will always be safer to use login with more than one step. And with two-factor authentication, the password alone will not work, because you need an additional variable that only you have access to, such as your phone or fingerprint.
We recommend thinking zero trust – that you always expect that the password has been leaked. It is a bit like going back to the front door to double-check that you actually locked it.
How do I activate two-factor authentication?
All major (and serious) internet services support two-factor authentication, and this should always be one of the requirements when choosing a new digital service provider!
We previously mentioned how two-factor authentication works for Microsoft 365. For our customers, we always use something called “Conditional Access.” This gives us control over who logs into which service by using parameters such as: which user, which location, which service? For example, if you log into a service at the office (secure location), you do not need two-factor authentication, but if you attempt to log in from abroad (unsecure location), you must always verify yourself with one or more steps.
Ready to activate two-factor authentication?
On Nettvett.no you will find a good overview of how to activate two-factor authentication for the most common platforms!
This page is translated using AI
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