Two Factor Authentication, Explained
Monday, April 12, 2021
Apple and most other companies are now offering or requiring Two Factor Authentication for their web-based accounts. What does this mean? And, how does it work?
Two Factor Authentication, or 2FA, is an extra layer of security to verify your identity. First, a user will visit a website or log onto an iDevice app, then enter their username and a password. Instead of immediately gaining access to the account, the user will be required to provide further information. This second security factor could be a text message code, an email code, a secret question, or even a finger print or facial scan!
Because it is easier than ever to gain access to repetitive or reused passwords, relying on ONLY the password and username to gain account access is no longer adequate to securely access one's account. Two-factor authentication dramatically improves the security of your web accounts and all the personal information you store online, because you must verify your login attempt from another device.
In the future, many companies won’t ask you again for a verification code on that device, at least for several weeks. That way you can check email, social media apps, financial institutions, and other logins as you normally would without the extra hassle every time. 2FA is only needed when singing in on a new device or if you haven’t signed into a particular account for a while. Often if you sign out of your account completely or change your password, you will also be asked to reverify your credentials.
2FA continues to teeter the balance of the Security versus Convenience scales. You know Mac Doctor’s credo revolves around simplicity, and we loath adding extra layers to a task. Adding 2FA does increase the complexity of accessing our accounts. However, an extra layer of security can be necessary to avoid easy hacks or scams. Yet other times the extra security can be more hassle than it’s worth. There is a time for both! No worries, we’re experts in identifying security risks and figuring out what security path is best for you. As you navigate your online security world, we’re always here when you have questions.