multifactor authentication
what is multifactor authentication
In today’s digital age, logging into online accounts has become an essential activity for most people. However, using just usernames and passwords for authentication purposes could leave us vulnerable to potential cyber threats. Hence, online services offer an advanced security feature called Multifactor Authentication, which combines multiple forms of identification to confirm the user’s identity.
For instance, instead of relying on just a password, multifactor authentication requests a second form of identification such as a fingerprint or a smart device.
By implementing multifactor authentication, online services have added an additional layer of security for the user’s account. Thus, making it a more effective way to verify identity and ultimately reducing the risks of cyber threats and unauthorized access.
How does multifactor authentication work?
The first time you sign in on a device or app you enter your username and password as usual, then you get prompted to enter your second factor to verify your identity.
If you are using an Authenticator app as your second factor. You open the app on your smartphone, it shows you a unique, dynamically created 6-digit number that you type into the site and you’re in.
When somebody else tries to sign in as you, however, they’ll enter your username and password, and when they get prompted for that second factor they’re stuck! Unless they have YOUR smartphone, they have no way of getting that 6-digit number to enter.
Generally it’s only used the first time you sign into an app or device, or the first time you sign in after changing your password. After that you’ll just need your primary factor, usually a password, like you do now.
The extra security comes from the fact that somebody trying to break into your account is probably not using your device, so they’ll need to have that second factor to get in.
multifactor authentication for Microsoft 365
Multifactor authentication means you and your employees must provide more than one way to sign in to Microsoft 365 is one of the easiest ways to secure your business.
Multifactor authentication helps secure your environment and resources by requiring that your users confirm their identity by using multiple authentication methods, like a phone call, text message, mobile app notification, or one-time password. You can use multifactor authentication both on-premises and in the cloud to add security for accessing Microsoft online services, remote access applications, and more.
- Lastpass
- Microsoft Authenticator.
- Authenticator Lite (in Outlook)
- Windows Hello for Business.
- FIDO2 security key.
- SMS.
- Voice call.