18/01/2024
Tiny changes you can make to help improve your personal online security
Try using 2-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible
You wouldn't leave your home without locking your door, would you?
Well, ignoring 2FA is a bit like doing just that. Usernames and passwords do a job, just like closing a door does, but to add that extra level of security and peace of mind, lock it - and use 2FA.
In fairness 2FA is much more secure than merely locking your door, but the everyday analogy holds. Not that we advocate weak or re-using passwords but, let's say like many of us your passwords are on the weaker side, 2FA can help to shore-up your security massively.
We've probably all come across it in our daily lives already - you go to log into a site or account with your username and password, and then the site asks for a one-off number (usually 6 digits). That number will either be sent to your mobile phone via SMS, or you might have installed a number-generating app that does the job.
Either way, it adds a significant step up in security over and above plain old usernames and passwords because a criminal would, in virtually all scenarios, have to have your phone physically in their hand to be able to sign-in as you.
So, especially in these days of hybrid and remote working where devices are often shared between personal and work accounts, please use 2FA wherever it's offered - it's a no-brainer.
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