Passwords used to provide us with enough online protection. However, today passwords can easily be retrieved through social engineering and other means. Password authentication is one of the best ways to take extra precautions and protect yourself online; and using what’s known as 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) or User Authentication or 2 Step Verification, can help keep your online accounts as secure as possible from hackers. So, what is Two Factor Authentication? Let’s approach this with examples. When it comes to your online accounts you sign in with a password that you’ve created. That would be considered only 1 factor or level of security. Two Factor Authentication basically provides you with an additional or second layer of security. On all relevant sites you want to enable 2Factor or 2 Step Verification and what that does is every time you log in to that account, a second step is required to completely sign in. At the time of log in, the site will generate a random code that is then required to complete the sign in process. This code is sent to whichever place you designated when setting up 2Factor; most likely and preferably your phone. Once you receive the random code, you are then required to input that on a secondary log in page, and then access is granted. A great way to understand it is it’s basically a 2 step sign in process that you set up to ensure that your account is more difficult for a predator to try and log into. Seems complicated, but really I promise you it’s not. If I can figure it out, so can you!
Our ultimate goal with Two Factor Authentication is to make it as difficult as possible for someone to try and hack your account. Do you have to use 2FA? No. But if you chose not to, you are leaving yourself more susceptible to a hack. I know this because about a year ago I was hacked. It had nothing to do with who I was. It was a random act and the hackers had EVERY piece of information on me, my family, and my extended family. I’ll be the first to admit that I was completely and utterly disorganized when it came to my digital assets. I used the same password for all of my accounts and the password was made up of terms and numbers that someone could guess. And because I have a team that I work so closely with, I figured using a password that everyone could remember was the best approach. Boy, was I wrong! The hack caused us to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. What makes me the maddest when I look back on being hacked, was that it didn’t have to happen. But it did because I didn’t understand HOW to secure my accounts the right way… so I just never did it.
Let me help you! I don’t want what happened to me to happen to you. I’ll take you through, step by step, in the most basic tutorial, to show you exactly how to set up your online life so that your accounts are secure and you are protected. Lessons are short, anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes… totally doable and designed in a way to not overwhelm you! That is why I created SMART Virtual Systems, because I know this kind of stuff is overwhelming. But trust me, I can teach you how to protect yourself online and in addition you’ll learn how to organize all of your digital assets. Just click below for more info!
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