![]() Push MFA also alerts the associated user of the time and origin of the access request, meaning they are instantly aware if another entity is attempting to breach their account. Probably the most convenient form of MFA available, push notification MFA leverages a pop-up message on a user’s smartphone which allows them to confirm or deny access with the push of a button. In addition, physical keys have a higher potential of becoming lost in the daily hustle and bustle, and if stolen, can spell disaster for an organization. Unfortunately, setting up unique physical keys for every member of an organization can be incredibly time consuming for already-busy IT admins. Since it requires direct possession of the authentication token, physical key MFA is considered the most secure of the available forms of MFA. Physical MFA devices use a hardware token as the secondary authentication factor, such as a USB device. As such, many consider SMS to be one of the least secure methods of MFA. While this makes them easier to leverage by end users, intercepted SMS codes give a wider time frame for bad actors as well. Although usually generated by a trustable source, an insider attacker could potentially route the code to themselves.Īdditionally, SMS codes often last longer than TOTP codes. SMS-based MFA uses codes similar in structure to those of TOTP, except instead of being generated directly on a smartphone, they’re sent via SMS text message, which means they’re being created outside of the device. Comparing TOTP to Other Popular Forms of MFA SMS-based MFA In comparison to other forms of MFA, however, TOTP is both fairly lightweight and effective. MFA already adds an extra step for users by default, and TOTP can introduce the challenge of inputting the code only for it to expire right before you submit. Regarding end user experience, however, TOTP is sometimes met with consternation. From a security standpoint, TOTP adds a sizable buffer between an organization and a breach. Google Authenticator), so it falls under the “something you have” classification.Īs the name suggests, each TOTP code is only valid for a short amount of time and constantly refreshed, meaning that the perpetrator of a breach would need both a user’s compromised credentials and direct access to their phone in order to take over their account. TOTP MFA codes are generally created via a smartphone app (e.g. TOTP (Time-based, One-Time Password) is a form of MFA that uses a randomly generated code as an additional authentication token. In practice, each should be individualized and mutually exclusive, meaning that compromising one factor doesn’t compromise the others, thus making the possibility of taking over a user’s account significantly more difficult for a bad actor. These factors are colloquially referred to as “something you have, something you know, or something you are” (e.g., an MFA token, password, or biometric information, etc.).Īdditionally, login time and location can also be used as authentication factors. In fact, Symantec found that 80% of recent breaches could have been prevented with the addition of MFA.īecause of its additional factors, MFA helps to fully authenticate that a user requesting access is who they say they are. Since compromised credentials are the leading source of breaches, an additional layer of security through MFA works wonders. If that credential combo is compromised for any reason, MFA acts as the final barrier between an attacker and their prize: the critical data housed within an organization’s network. MFA (also called two-factor authentication or 2FA) is the practice of requiring additional authentication factors beyond the standard username-password combination most authentication mechanisms require. There are several types of MFA, but before we talk about TOTP MFA specifically, let’s talk about MFA in general and why it’s so effective at securing user accounts. MFA is one of the most effective security methods for blocking unauthorized account takeovers. Organizations concerned about identity security need to make multi-factor authentication (MFA) a standard practice for their users.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |