Everything You Need to Know About 2FA
There are several ways to protect consumer information using two-factor authentication. Learn more about the advantages and requirements of 2FA.
What is 2FA?
When using two-factor authentication (2FA), a user must supply two authentication factors to demonstrate that they are who they claim to be.
You use two-factor authentication without even realising it every time you carry out routine tasks like entering your PIN when using your debit card or showing identification at the bank. Your consumers will find it simple to retrieve their information and guarantee that no data is being compromised.
We’ll go over all you need to know about 2FA in this post so that it can be incorporated into your company’s platform.
What are authentication factors?
You need certain pieces of information, known as authentication factors, to access an account. Your login and password serve as the initial authentication factor needed. However, 2FA demands a second factor before you can finish your login in order to confirm your identity.
Three main categories of authentication factors are as follows:
- What you are aware of: a PIN, a password, or the response to a security question.
- You possess a phone, a credit card, or a key fob.
- What you are: a biometric like that of a voice, face, retina, or fingerprint.
They can be combined and used whichever best serves the objectives
What passwords are insecure
It goes without saying that having to remember numerous passwords is annoying. Verizon estimates that in 2021, weak password security was to blame for 81% of data breaches. People enjoy using short, easy-to-remember passwords across various accounts. Actually, 76% of millennials acknowledge that they reuse their passwords. This increases the need for 2FA because it makes it simpler for hackers to guess and access your data.
Here are some errors that people frequently make when generating passwords:
- Utilising any private data
- Updating an existing password by merely changing one digit or letter
- Use of old passwords
- Replacing a letter with a number that looks similar (for example, “@” for “a”)
- using a single word rather than a haphazard phrase or sentence
- Only 8 characters are used
Why 2FA is important
One of your top objectives should be the security of your customers. A security breach might have a profound impact on their way of life.
According to Verizon, 2FA could stop 80% of cyberattacks. This might be as straightforward as a transaction that needs an SMS confirmation. The likelihood that someone may discover your password and phone is reduced.
Google recently stated that two-factor authentication prevented 100% of automated bots, 99% of phishing attacks, and 66% of targeted attacks.
2FA adds an additional layer of protection and makes it more difficult for attackers to access users’ accounts. Risk can be reduced by simply adding a layer of 2FA to login and transaction procedures.
These days, it’s also crucial to be PSD2 compliant because this regulation directly affects banks, fintechs, and companies that use payment data.
It strives to more closely match payment legislation with the market and technological environment as it stands now. Additionally, it’s encouraging businesses to share customer data more securely with outside parties, which is only beneficial.
Types of 2FA
You have a variety of options for how to provide your consumers their PIN. The customer uses a PIN they are given over a specific channel to login. Additionally, you can send time-based one-time PINs (TOTPs), which have a set expiration duration. The time limit of TOTP minimises the likelihood that hackers will be able to circumvent two layers of security.
The ability to use 2FA across several channels makes it simple to integrate with your company’s existing communication plan. Common channels for 2FA include:
- SMS
- Voice
- In-app push notifications
- Chat apps
Additional 2FA Components
In addition, process tracking and number lookup are included in 2FA security.
A smart technique to cut costs and guarantee a consumer gets their PIN is through number lookup. You may make sure your consumers receive their PIN on the channel that best fits them by verifying the status of a person’s phone number.
If a customer provides the incorrect phone number for an OTT business, they will never receive the SMS with the PIN number required to complete the installation. They might lose a great method of staying in touch with their friends, and the app developers might lose a potential customer. This is probably the last thing app developers want given the fierce competition in the messaging market.
Number search is incredibly helpful to OTT providers because it provides thorough visibility into mobile networks to verify the legitimacy of numbers. It can reveal whether a number is invalid, unclaimed, or a landline and gives users the option to enter their phone number again if necessary.
Process monitoring can quantify the ratio of PINS sent to PINS used. You can learn how your customers use your 2FA service and how convenient it is for them by monitoring this conversion rate. Using this additional information, you can improve your 2FA service and make it simpler to use.
F2A: How does it work?
The most typical application of 2FA is when a user enters in with a password and is subsequently provided an OTP code to verify their identity.
After that, individuals can choose how they want to
The customer’s chosen method will then be used to send a verification code.
A second authentication factor provides an additional layer of security (for example, a hacker would need to know your password AND have access to your phone in order to get into your account).
The second element operates by distributing an OTP that, once used, cannot be duplicated.
The identification can then be verified after receiving a notification of verification.
Benefits of 2FA
1. Authentication is seamless
The purpose of 2FA is to safeguard private data while maintaining a positive user experience. Push notifications eliminate the need for a PIN entry during authentication; instead, just clicking is sufficient.
Customers are given the freedom to select the 2FA method that best suits them, putting security and user experience first.
2. Security is stronger
2FA is a powerful security tool against fraud because it is difficult for hackers to get around it. To get access, potential adversaries would need to know multiple pieces of information, not just one password.
Activating two-factor authentication is a simple approach to increase security. Even the most basic version of 2FA creates an almost impenetrable barrier between hackers and the private information of your clients.
By taking these precautions to safeguard your customers’ accounts, you can provide them with the best UX and the highest level of security, which will result in satisfied and secure users worldwide.
3. Productivity and flexibility is increased
Businesses that adopt new technologies are likely to operate more productively and adaptably. Faster and more securely than before, customers may register for services.
Businesses use two-factor authentication (2FA) to allow employees secure access to back-office systems, corporate applications, data, and documents from almost anywhere without jeopardising company data.
4. Security management costs are lower
Implementing 2FA can make it easier for clients to resolve these difficulties on their own while also cutting down on time-consuming and expensive password reset calls.
Reducing consumer contact with call centres increases security while also enhancing user experience. Then, as a tremendous bonus, operating costs related to security controls are decreased.
5. Drives customer confidence
Consumers’ trust is increased when ecommerce sites have improved security measures. On websites like eBay or PayPal, customers are more likely to trust one another because they are aware that everyone on the network had to go through the same rigorous security measures as them. The long-term survival of these services depends on establishing a broad base of community trust, particularly with platforms like eBay and Etsy.
Industries that use 2FA
Banking
The use of 2FA services by banks is widespread and essential. Customers’ banking information is kept secure by 2FA, which ranges from a PIN to access their bank card to a TOTP to complete money transfers.
E-commerce
2FA is frequently used by online retailers when logging in. For their customers to feel secure making purchases from their sites, it is crucial to add an additional layer of protection when credit card information can be saved and stored on their accounts.
Healthcare
Securing patient data and information is the responsibility of healthcare organizations. They can reassure their patients that they are the only ones with access to their medical records by using 2FA. Doctors must also use 2FA in order to access patient records.
Use 2FA to safeguard your customers and business.
Cybersecurity is a crucial component of putting customers first, and 2FA provides a secure and user-friendly solution that is advantageous to both businesses and customers. Business-critical services must have strong authentication and security.
Customers can tell a company is committed to overall security when they notice that it offers 2FA for better protection. Although consumers are aware that security breaches can happen at any time and are occasionally beyond a company’s control, those who use 2FA show their customers that they are serious about security. As we entrust more of our digital lives to online services, this becomes more and more crucial.
