Protecting Accounts With Two-Factor Authentication – Downeast Credit Union
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Protecting Accounts With Two-Factor Authentication

Posted on May 9, 2024 | Fraud Defense
What is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-Factor Authentication is also known as multi-factor authentication. It is an extra security step in the process of logging into an account. As usual, people enter either their username or email address––followed by their password. However, instead of being granted access to their account after successfully entering the password, the user needs to confirm their identity via another specified method. For example, the user may receive a text message or an email with a one-time code that must be entered in order to complete the login process. Other two-factor authentication methods include biometric information, such as fingerprint or facial recognition scanning.
Where should people use two-factor authentication?
-Financial Institutions
-Email Accounts
-Social Media
-Online Retailers
-And More!
For maximum protection, people should use two-factor authentication everywhere that it’s an option. While no security method is entirely foolproof, two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for fraudsters to steal personal information or access accounts.
Also, growing in popularity are authentication apps. The apps generate short codes that change on a regular basis. If the app is someone’s method of two-factor authentication, they’ll need to copy the code from the app in order to log in. This makes it much, much more difficult for fraudsters to gain access to accounts. Even if a fraudster was able to get their hands on someone’s password, they still wouldn’t be able to access their account without the user’s personal device. With facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, they still wouldn’t be able to access the account even if they had the password and device.
For maximum protection, people should use two-factor authentication everywhere that it’s an option. While no security method is entirely foolproof, two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for fraudsters to steal personal information or access accounts.