Save the Embarrassment: The Value of Two-Factor Authentication

by Tyler Reguly on July 30, 2018

These days, it’s not a matter of if your password will be breached but when.

Major websites experience massive data breaches at an alarming rate. Have I Been Pwned currently has records from 295 sites comprising 5.3 billion accounts. This includes well-known names like LinkedIn, Adobe, and MySpace.

Password breaches are a cause for embarrassment; they are talked about in hushed tones just like finding mice in your home or having your credit card declined. They don’t need to be, though; they are part of the online experience associated with a modern cyber life.

Instead of being embarrassed, take steps to minimize the impact that a data breach has on your life.

One of the best ways to do this is to enable two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication on the accounts that you use on a regular basis. Adding a second form of authentication (typically in the fashion of a code generated by or sent to a device you own) can ensure that no one accesses your accounts even if they have your passwords.

Here you will find step-by-step instructions on how to configure two-factor authentication on some of Internet’s most popular websites.

Facebook

Log into Facebook and visit Settings.

Save the Embarrassment: The Value of Two-Factor Authentication - Facebook

On the left hand side, select Security and Login and click Edit next to Use two-factor authentication.

Save the Embarrassment: The Value of Two-Factor Authentication - Facebook

Set up the 2FA methods of your choice. I recommend Text Message and Authentication App, at a minimum.

Google

Visit your Google Account page and follow the Signing in to Google link.

Save the Embarrassment: The Value of Two-Factor Authentication - Google 3

Select 2-Step Verification and follow the steps to enable Authenticator, SMS, or Google Prompt 2FA. Note that some applications may stop authenticating and require application specific “App Passwords.” You can read more about those here.

PayPal

Log into PayPal and visit Settings.

Save the Embarrassment: The Value of Two-Factor Authentication - PayPal 4

Click Security and look for the Edit (Read more...)

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from The State of Security authored by Tyler Reguly. Read the original post at: https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-data-protection/value-two-factor-authentication/

July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 Tyler Reguly facebook, Featured Articles, IT Security and Data Protection, Paypal, Twitter, two factor authentication

Tyler Reguly

Tyler Reguly is Associate Director, Security R&D at Fortra, responsible for overseeing a team of researchers that provide the security expertise for the company’s integrity and compliance monitoring solution. Tyler joined Fortra in 2022 when the company acquired Tripwire, where Tyler had been a part of the research team for more than fifteen years. In addition to security research, Tyler has worked closely with Fanshawe College, from which he graduated with a diploma in Computer Systems Technology, developing five courses including subjects like Advanced Hacker Techniques & Tactics, Hacking and Exploits, Malware Research, Evolving Technologies and Threats, and Python Programming. He has also taught all five courses that he developed on multiple occasions.

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