Security is a big deal with all the hackers in the world. For them it can be easy to retrieve your login information to the different accounts you own. Luckily, there is something called Two Factor Authentication (2FA) that can help add an extra layer of security. Expert Insights detail the main types: a question, a pin code, something you have, or something you are. To break this down a little, a question or pin code will be something that you came up with, and you alone should know; Something you have is a device that can be sent a text or a notification that must be interacted with in order to log in; Something you are is something that only you can present, like a finger print, eye scan, or voice recognition.

This may seem like a lot of work just to log in, however hackers cannot get their hands on these second forms of authentication as easily as they can uncover your username and password alone. Two Factor Authentication is not only useful for consumers, it can greatly impact companies as well. Applying this extra layer of protection helps companies ensure their information is safe. Some programs, such as Office 365, have a setting that can be activated by an admin to add Two Factor Authentication for all of their employees. There are also third parties that can provide a Two Factor Authentication for companies and employees.

Onelogin lists some different forms of Two Factor Authentication, like a one-time password, a time-based pin, and even digital certificates. A one-time password is, as the name suggests, a password that can only be used once, and then it becomes null. A time-based pin will reset after a certain amount of time. It must be used in a small window of time in order to be useful. Digital certificates are something that can be downloaded onto a computer, and when logging in, the company will search for this certificate. If not present, the login will not go through.

All of these Two Factor Authentication forms can send an alert to the company and the individual person when a login attempt has occurred and failed. Deciding which Two Factor Authentication is best for you can be a big decision, but Susquehanna Computer Innovations Inc. is here to help so, feel free to give us a call with any questions you may have!