What Makes MFA Security So Effective? 

The idea of the digital password was first discussed at MIT in 1960. Do you know what else was created in the 60s? The cassette tape. But because of changes and advancements in technology, cassette tapes are all but extinct.

A lot can change in 60 years, but the idea of a password has stayed pretty much the same. And it’s hurting everyone’s cybersecurity. Ironically, two years after the inception of the password, the first password theft occurred, a harbinger for what was to come. Today, passwords are one of the weakest links in our cybersecurity infrastructure.

Enter MFA security, the streaming platform of passwords.

Threat to Mankind—Or Just Your Data, But Still

Passwords are easy to guess, easy to lose, and easy to forget. They can be intercepted, they can be stolen, and they can be brute-forced. They’re also the only thing standing between you and your data—which makes them a pretty big deal.

In a still widely-respected study from 2020, Stanford University Professor Jeff Hancock and Tessian released research findings that claimed 85% of data breaches were caused by a human element, i.e., a bad password, clicking on a phishing email, etc.

It gets worse: a cloud security company called Barracuda analyzed millions of emails and discovered that if you’re an employee of a small business, you’ll experience 350% more social engineering attacks than an employee of a large company.

And just how many attacks are happening? Is it that big of a problem? You can probably guess our answer, but here’s some info to back us up: there were almost 52 million data breaches in the 2nd quarter of 2022 (a period of 3 months).

The writing is on the wall—passwords alone are not going to cut it anymore. We need to move towards a more secure form of authentication, and that’s where MFA security comes in.

So, What Is MFA? And How Good Is It Really?

MFA stands for multi-factor authentication. It’s also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step verification.

With MFA, you’re no longer just relying on a single password to protect your data. You’re adding an additional layer of security, making it much harder for hackers to get through.

The most common form of MFA is using a password along with a one-time code that’s generated by an app on your phone. When you try to log in, you’ll enter your password as usual and then input a code that’s generated by the MFA app.

You can also get a text with a code or link to confirm your login, receive a phone call, or use something physical like your fingerprint.

Microsoft found that using MFA can block 99.9% of automated attacks, and Google says that its Advanced Protection Program—which uses MFA—has prevented 100% of automated account hijacking attempts.

So yeah, MFA security is a pretty big deal.

How Does MFA Work on My Devices?

The integration of MFA is seamless and user-friendly. Many services even offer options to remember trusted devices, reducing the need to authenticate every time you log in. For just your personal devices, you might implement MFA for each individual account, like your bank, email, or social media accounts.

In a business setting, MFA can be set up across all devices and accounts for added security.

Can MFA Be Hacked?

While MFA significantly enhances security, no system is entirely foolproof. Cybercriminals continuously evolve their strategies to find vulnerabilities. However, successful breaches of MFA are relatively rare compared to single-factor authentication.

One method hackers use is SIM swapping, where they trick mobile network providers into transferring your phone number to their device. Phishing attacks can also trick users into revealing their authentication codes. However, these methods require more effort and sophistication, making MFA a strong deterrent for most attackers.

How Has MFA Improved with Recent Technologies?

Technological advancements have significantly enhanced MFA’s effectiveness and convenience. For instance, biometric authentication methods like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning have become more accurate and widely accessible.

Push notifications have also improved the user experience. Instead of entering a code, users receive a notification on their device to approve or deny login attempts. This method is not only faster but also reduces the risk of phishing attacks.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are also playing a role. These technologies can analyze patterns and detect unusual behavior, adding another layer of security. For example, if someone tries to log in from an unusual location or device, the system can trigger additional verification steps.

These advancements make MFA more user-friendly and secure, reinforcing its importance in today’s digital landscape. Staying updated with these technologies ensures that your security measures remain effective against evolving threats.

What About MFA Makes It So Effective?

With cyberattacks on the rise, many people are asking if MFA is still effective. But despite the potential for sophisticated attacks, MFA remains one of the most effective ways to protect your accounts and sensitive information. The multiple layers of verification make it significantly harder for unauthorized users to gain access.

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from implementing MFA. It adds a robust layer of security to email accounts, financial transactions, and sensitive data. For individual users, it offers peace of mind knowing that even if one factor is compromised, additional layers of security remain intact.

We don’t want to keep beating the “passwords by themselves are the worst” drum, but we will just one more time. Passwords can go for as little as $3 on the Dark Web, so the rate of return on buying your password and then hacking the credit card information on your website is very high.

But it would be nearly impossible for a hacker to buy your password AND gain access to your cell phone. That’s why one-time codes aren’t sent to your email—you need to have something that’s yours and only yours (aka, an app on your phone).

Multiple Steps to Log in Is Frustrating—Is There Anything to Do About That?

We know the extra few seconds for every account can be annoying to get through, especially for businesses. There are ways to save time and get all the same benefits from MFA.

• Single Sign-On (SSO):

1. 1. • Description: SSO allows users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without having to log in again at each one.
      • Benefits: Streamlines the login process and reduces the number of credentials users need to remember.

• Password Managers:

1. 1. • Description: These tools store and auto-fill passwords for different accounts.
      • Benefits: Saves time by eliminating the need to manually enter passwords and can enhance security by generating strong, unique passwords.

• Biometric Authentication:

1. 1. • Description: Use of fingerprints, facial recognition, or other biometric data for login.
      • Benefits: Quick and secure, reducing the need for password entry.

• Adaptive Authentication:

1. 1. • Description: Security measures adjust based on the user’s behavior and context (e.g., location, device).
      • Benefits: Reduces the need for multi-factor authentication (MFA) if the system recognizes a low-risk login attempt.

• Reducing the Number of Accounts:

1. 1. • Description: Consolidate services to reduce the number of accounts a user needs to manage.
      • Benefits: Fewer logins to remember and manage.

• Session Management:

1. 1. • Description: Extend session durations or use persistent sessions for trusted devices.
      • Benefits: Reduces the frequency of login prompts.

• Streamlined MFA:

1. 1. • Description: Use more user-friendly multi-factor authentication methods like push notifications instead of SMS or email codes.
      • Benefits: Faster and more convenient for users.

• Feedback and Improvement:

1. • Description: Collect employee feedback on the login process and make iterative improvements.
   • Benefits: Enhances the user experience by addressing specific pain points.

Implementing these strategies can help strike a balance between security and user convenience, making the login process less frustrating.

Strengthen Your Security by 99.9% With Common Angle

Like we said, Microsoft is making big claims about how effective MFA is, and we agree. As cybersecurity experts, we believe that MFA security is the easiest way to build an almost impenetrable line of defense against attacks.

But we also know that MFA can be a bit of a hassle. No one wants to have to fumble around for their phone every time they want to log into their email. That’s where Common Angle comes in. We make it easy for you to set up and use MFA without any headaches.

Plus, we offer other features like single sign-on (SSO), which lets you use one set of credentials to access all of your applications—including those that don’t support MFA security. That way, you’re not only protecting your data with the best possible security measures but you’re also making your life a whole lot easier.

Have any questions? Give us a call or set up a consultation at a time that works for you.