In the past, all you needed to log on to a site was your username and password. As long as your password was unique, you should be safe. It didn’t take long for us to realize differently; cyber criminals learned to hack our accounts with relative ease. One of the best ways to combat cyber crime is to enable two-factor authentication.
If You Want to Protect Your Account, Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is simply an extra security layer that guard logins to important websites, such as your email, bank, and phone system. When you sign-in you still have to enter your username and password but then additionally there is a unique auto-generated security code that changes with each log in. This separate security (or authentication) code is revealed via an app on your phone. Even if your username and password has been hacked, a cyber-criminal would have to physically possess your phone to successfully get in.
Once you enable 2FA, here is basically how it works during the log on process:
- You enter in your username and password as usual.
- The site will the request your authentication code.
- You open the authenticator app and get the code.
- You type the code into the website.
It’s as simple as that. Once you’re logged in, your browser typically keeps you logged in for a period of time as long as you’re on the same machine. This way you don’t have to do this every single day.
Two-Factor Authentication for Business Phone Systems
Two-Factor Authentication is also a very important aspect of securing your business phone system from cyber-criminals. It doesn’t matter if you have an internet-based Business Phone System or traditional service, you must protect your accounts.
Two-Factor Authentication is a Necessity
Two-factor authentication can sound time-consuming, but the truth is that the time and effort involved in safeguarding your online accounts is worth it. Enabling 2FA usually only takes a few minutes, and it can help you to avoid the hacking of your business data.
If you have any questions regarding Business Phone Systems, please contact Advanced Communication Systems today at 800-750-3624. You can also follow us on Twitter.