Are you stuck and can’t receive your MFA code via text, email or phone call? There are other options to consider.
Multifactor authentication is an important part of cybersecurity and highly recommended to improve your security posture to keep your apps and data safe.
What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires the user to provide two or more verifications to gain access to an application, online account, or a VPN for example. MFA is a core component of a strong identity and access management (IAM) policy. Rather than just using a username and password, MFA requires one or more additional verification, which decreases the likelihood of a cyber attack.
Why is MFA Important?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) solutions improve business security by enforcing additional authentication measures, such as a text message, or a fingerprint, before users can access accounts that hold sensitive information.
Essentially, with MFA in place businesses have an extra layer of security over their accounts and sensitive data. It helps to ensure that everyone who accesses company information are really who they say they are, helping to reduce the risk of account compromise and cyber attacks.
What’s the Best Option?
You can validate your login by receiving a code in various ways such as email, text, or phone call. These options have some drawbacks. For example, if you’re out of the country and you’re using a third-party SIM card with a different number for your smartphone, you will not be able to receive calls, text or email. Or if you do not have service because you’re out of range or your service provider is down.
Multi-Factor Authenticator Apps
A better option is to use free Multi-Factor Authenticator Apps. Microsoft and Google offer these free apps that you can install on your smartphone. They are safer and work better then using email, text or calls.
For business, consider using our Duo MFA service. Duo is our most commonly-used second-factor authentication method, thanks to its simplicity and reliability. With Duo you have an administrator dashboard to allow you to manage users. Duo lets your users access their applications securely, no matter the circumstance. Employee left their phone at home? Need to authenticate without an internet connection? Want a passcode-free login experience? Duo’s got you covered. We recommend Duo as a strong MFA solution for organizations of all sizes looking for a user-friendly yet powerful MFA solution. Contact us for more details.
Securing Your Apps with MFA
If you haven’t done so already, implement MFA on all your logins. Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace offer MFA security. Make sure that you enable it for every user. Take stock of all your apps and enable MFA on every one, if possible.
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