Learn what two-factor authentication is and why it is important

With so many online accounts, it is essential to adopt good security practices to protect yourself from digital crimes. The problem is that security does not always mean ease and comfort, which is why it is common for internet users to neglect some security practices.

It is not enough to create a complex password and leave it saved on a public computer, for example. Users often have multiple saved passwords, some reused in many different accounts and others that have even been forgotten. They remain the only resource to prevent the account from being accessed by unauthorized people.

The hijacking of social network accounts has been a recurring practice that, in many cases, can cause harm to the user. But how to increase account security in digital life?

Today's column will present a feature that is not new, but because it is optional, is not always used: the two-factor authentication.

What is the two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of login security, designed to ensure that the owner is the only person who can access an account, even if someone else knows the password.

The second factor is a security code that does not need to be memorized, because it is randomly generated at each login to the account. This code can be received by SMS message, generated in an application (soft token) or a specific device for this purpose (hard token).

Messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram natively offer two-step authentication, but you must enable it for use.

Mobile phones with Android 7 and higher can be used as a security key in a mechanism that combines GPS location with the proximity sensor connected by Bluetooth.

The accounts on Facebook and Instagram also offer the option of two-factor authentication, a universal way to generate the security code is to use the Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator applications. Both work as random code generators and can be used to protect social network accounts, email, and other types of online service.

Several access control mechanisms currently support two-factor authentication, but the user needs to enable this second layer of security. The ideal is for the reader to use this feature to protect all his/her email accounts and social networks.

Translated from: https://g1.globo.com/economia/tecnologia/blog/ronaldo-prass/post/2019/08/14/saiba-o-que-e-autenticacao-em-dois-fatores-e-por-que-ela-e-importante.ghtml