It was also regarded as the most user-friendly second factor and the favorite choice of users, with more than half (53.4%) selecting it as their preference. However, the Duo report cited above found that text messages remained the most commonly used second 2FA factor in 2021, familiar to more than 85% of survey respondents. In fact, NIST no longer recommends dual-factor authentication systems that rely on SMS along with a password.

If hackers gain access to your wireless service provider account, they can intercept any message sent your way, including 2FA access codes. However, the system can't verify that you're actually the person who gets the SMS since phone numbers can also be hacked and spoofed.

The most frequently used 2FA method involves receiving a one-time authentication code by text message. Authenticator apps are often a better solution since they generate a code directly on the user's device, so the access key can't be intercepted like it can if sent by text message.Īlthough 2-factor authentication is better than single-factor security systems, it's not a perfect solution. However, these devices represent a significant investment for large employers, especially since they can also be lost or stolen.

Companies can improve the security of a 2FA system with a physical hardware token, often a USB drive that serves as a 'key' and costs around $20. Organizations may also benefit from the additional layer of protection offered by 2FA if they often have third parties such as vendors and contractors access their digital services and systems. Phishing, when hackers represent legitimate organizations to try to get users to enter their credentials, and spear phishing, which targets specific victims instead of a massive email database.Dictionary attacks, which attempt to breach systems with combinations of commonly used password phrases.Brute force attacks, in which hackers figure out user credentials or break encryption through trial and error.

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