We have countless options, entertainment, and conveniences in this digitally dominated society. A tech-driven culture does, however, come with drawbacks and complexities, one of which is the growing requirement for strong digital security.
Since a large portion of our lives are spent online and we handle our personal information on our phones, it should come as no surprise that hackers and cybercriminals are drawn to digital accounts. Governments, corporations, and individuals need to take charge of their tech security as phishing, social engineering, and other cyberattacks become more common. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the yearly worldwide cost of cybercrime will increase from $3 trillion in 2015 to $6 trillion in 2021.
Passwords and other single-factor security solutions are frequently insufficient. Weak or frequently used passwords are the cause of 81% of security breaches. And it’s no surprise that they’re so vulnerable to hackers, as 51% of people use the same password across several accounts. However, up to 99% of bulk phishing attempts can be prevented by using 2FA in the form of recovery phone numbers.
Thankfully, company owners can take precautions by implementing Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) through SMS APIs and platform integrations. It’s a straightforward but effective technique that can improve online security for consumers, companies, and individuals.
2-Factor Authentication: What is it?
A subset of multi-factor authentication is called dual factor authentication, or 2FA. Known by several names, including Two-Step Verification (2SV) and login approval, it offers an extra degree of protection for account sign-ups and system verification.
A user’s credentials and the information they can access are better protected by two separate verification processes. beyond the degree of security provided by single-factor verification, like passwords and usernames.
2FA can defend against a number of security risks, including:
Identity theft
Purchase fraud
Breach of data
Violation of the account
OTPs, or one-time passwords
You and your consumers may swiftly verify accounts with 2FA via SMS, which provides One-Time Passwords (OTP) instantly. Since 91% of Americans are constantly able to access their smartphones, SMS is the most convenient and quick security method. An advanced SMS gateway that guarantees timely OTP delivery makes the sign-up and log-in procedures smooth.
Token codes, often known as OTPs, are special numerical codes that are automatically texted to a user’s selected mobile number during the log-in procedure. To confirm their eligibility to access and use an account, the person must next input the OTP into the website or application. OTPs are frequently used to approve and confirm online payments quickly due to their time-sensitive nature.
Although email is frequently used by businesses to transmit OTPs, SMS is sometimes more efficient. According to a Google experiment, 34% of users were unable to recall their recovery email addresses. Along with SMS 2FA, Google also uses on-device prompts, in which users press a prompt that is sent to their phone and asks if they are attempting to log in. According to Google’s research, SMS 2FA and on-device prompts both stopped 100% of automated attacks.
On MXT, 2FA
Any online platform or system must include 2FA as a security measure. However, 2FA is a very effective and simple method of preventing account breaches in the form of unique SMS codes.
SMS APIs and plugins can strengthen client account security by enabling 2FA on websites, software, and apps. Benefits for brands that provide OTPs to consumers include:
Safeguard client information Fraud detection and warnings
Enhanced client satisfaction and trust
Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Customers utilizing SMSGlobal’s trusted and dynamic SMS platform can add an extra layer of security to their accounts, guaranteeing data protection for users and their customers. Not only can you integrate SMS OTP to your business’s cybersecurity efforts, but you can rest assured that your MXT account is safe with 2FA capabilities. Providing our esteemed clients with powerful account security is a top priority at SMSGlobal.
By following these straightforward steps, you may easily enable 2FA on your MXT account:
To log in, enter your username and password in MXT.
Verify that the phone number listed under “Contact Information” is accurate.
On your dashboard, click the cog symbol located in the upper right corner.
Choose “SMS Settings” from the drop-down menu under “Settings.”
Click the “Two Factor Authentication” toggle to enable 2FA.
To save, choose “Update Settings” at the bottom of the page.
Once enabled, each time you log into MXT to confirm your account, an OTP will be delivered to your phone.
2FA is enhancing cybersecurity worldwide.
The Call of Duty
2FA is frequently used by banks, insurance companies, and internet merchants to improve security. However, 2FA is now making it possible to detect cheats in online video games. The free PC edition of Call of Duty: Warzone now requires 2FA. Early in May, Infinity Ward, the game’s developers, implemented the security feature to discourage players from cheating.
70,000 cheats have been banned from Warzone by Infinity Ward in response to other recent security improvements. Warzone gamers are now required to use a unique SMS code to log in due to the new 2FA restrictions.
With the capacity to connect phone numbers to known cheats, Infinity Ward is also employing the security function as an anti-cheating tool. A cheater cannot make other accounts using the same phone number once they have been banned. On online gaming forums, cheaters have vented their annoyance by claiming that accounts associated with their phone number have been “shadowbanned.” These articles demonstrate how successful the new security measures have been so far at stopping account abuse and cheating.
Google announced a new obligatory 2FA policy to its Nest community earlier in May. A six-digit emailed code will now be required for new Nest account logins. SMS 2FA can also be enabled by users who haven’t moved their Nest accounts to Google Gmail.
The Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Hello Doorbell, and interior and outdoor Nest Cameras are all part of the Google Nest family of smart home appliances. Over the past year, Nest Cameras have been the target of multiple hacks, one of which involved the theft of its built-in speakers.
The intrusions were caused via usernames and passwords, which gave hackers access to devices and the ability to log in. Google hopes to prevent future security breaches by implementing new security measures.
Google has urged Nest users to take other security precautions in addition to email 2FA, such as:
Using the Nest app to enable SMS 2FA
Making secure and distinctive passwords
switching to a Google account if it is more convenient for the person
SMS 2FA and more
Strengthening your tech security is essential because small and medium-sized organizations are the target of 43% of all data breaches. Businesses can reduce the time and expenses associated with account breaches by using 2FA. Despite being very user-friendly and accessible, it is nonetheless safe from hackers and data violations.
OTP 2FA, however, might not fully meet security requirements for some individuals and bigger enterprises. 2FA as it currently exists can be improved by utilizing several security layers and updates to existing OTP 2FA methods.
Apple
To guarantee the effectiveness and security of SMS OTP retrieval, Apple engineers (Webkit) have suggested standardizing the SMS OTP format. Because the OTP shows on the user’s keyboard automatically, SMS OTP retrieval eliminates the need for users to access their text messages.
The project intends to create a consistent design for autofill and SMS OTP functionality across devices. The retrieval procedure would be automated and human intervention would be eliminated by using a standard text format. As soon as the SMS code is received, apps like mobile browsers might automatically extract it and send it to the appropriate website.
By automating this process, OTP retrieval would be less vulnerable to phishing attempts, which ask users to enter SMS codes on phony websites. Google has supported the idea, but Mozilla Firefox has not yet shown interest.
Yubikey
One well-known hardware authentication tool that accepts OTPs is Yubikey. It is a key-shaped fob that is plugged into a user’s computer and is used in conjunction with a password to complete the second stage of 2FA.
Hackers can intercept OTPs delivered to a device and acquire passwords, but it is far more difficult to steal a physical key. They are long-lasting, water-resistant, battery-free, and come in a range of sizes to meet different security needs. Numerous well-known businesses permit Yubikey logins, including:
Google, Dropbox, Facebook, Mac, and Windows
A Yubikey is the ideal addition to other 2FA techniques. On-device 2FA prompts or SMS 2FA are still reliable and efficient authentication options in the event that you misplace yours or a certain website does not accept Yubikey.