Protect your accounts with two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) can be used to strengthen the security of an online account, or device by requiring two distinct forms of identification to access them. Securing your account, through measures like 2FA, is key to keeping all the sensitive information in the account, or on the device safe.
Unprotected accounts are left vulnerable to cybercriminals – more colloquially known as hackers. Hackers use a variety of attacks to collect sensitive information, and they are constantly evolving. According to a recent report, there has been a “30% year-over-year increase in cyber-attacks globally, reaching an average of 1,636 attacks per organization per week.”
Within this new landscape of cyber-attacks, you need more than just your password for protection.
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Looming cyber threats
As cyber threats continue to evolve, two tactics have emerged, posing risks to organizations: phishing and keystroke logging.
Phishing
Within these cyber-attacks is a significant increase in AI-generated phishing emails, which saw a 17% growth in 2023, resulting in nearly 7 million detections. This trend makes phishing one of the most common forms of cyber-attacks.
Phishing uses “legitimate-looking” email messages, text messages, or voice calls to trick victims into sharing sensitive information. In some cases, victims are lured into downloading malware or ransomware, allowing hackers even more access to the victim’s device and confidential data. While most phishing attacks are considered "bulk phishing," which involves sending fake messages to a broad audience disguised as a trusted sender, certain attacks—known as "spear phishing"—target specific individuals or groups. Spear phishing attacks are less common but have a larger impact.
Keystroke logging
Another common cyber attack leverages keystroke logging, or keylogging for short. Keylogging uses spyware to record a victim’s keystrokes, allowing hackers to collect their usernames, passwords, and any other valuable data they’ve typed into a rigged keyboard. Keylogging has also evolved for implementation on mobile phones to detect and learn typing patterns using vibrations from the keyboard, reproducing the letters into readable sentences with 80% accuracy.
Once hackers gain access to a victim’s account, they can impersonate the individual to make transactions or access company information, which they may sell to competitors. Additionally, they can hold the account hostage to blackmail or extort money from the victim.
However, thanks to two-step authentication, there’s a way to protect your accounts and keep hackers at bay.
Benefits of two-step authentication
Two-factor authentication has many benefits. When enabled, accessing your account requires more than just your password; you'll also need a verification code. This code could be sent via text message to your phone, or generated by an authenticator app, ensuring security even if your password is compromised.
2FA also reduces the risk of phishing or keystroke logging attacks because (a) it acts as a deterrent for potential attacks, as hackers can see that you have it before they target you, and (b) even if you’re tricked into sharing your password or sensitive information, hackers can’t access your secured accounts without an additional code.
Two-factor authentication helps users and organizations improve security, maintain their privacy, and protect their accounts against increasing cyber threats.
Two-step verification for your Samsung Knox account
Two-step verification is the form of two-factor authentication designed to secure your Samsung account, which is used for your Samsung Knox account. With two-step verification, users are sent a temporary code through SMS, or they can generate a code using an authenticator app on their mobile devices.
If the user opts to receive the code via SMS, they will get a text message containing a one-time password. Alternatively, if they choose the authentication app, the codes will change periodically. Users simply need to enter the current code from the app. These temporary codes add an extra layer to the login process, preventing access for anyone who may have the password but not the second factor.
As both methods are linked to the user’s phone, they are convenient and easy to set up.
Setting up two-step verification for your Samsung account
If you haven't yet set up two-factor authentication, we've made setting it up on your Samsung account simple. Follow this how-to guide to enhance the security of your Samsung Knox account.
2FA security for your Samsung account
With the rise in cyber threats, two-factor authentication protects your account and its sensitive information.
Samsung Knox offers defense-grade security for Samsung Galaxy devices, and two-factor authentication is an added layer of security. Avoid being a target, and take steps to ensure your sensitive information stays safe.
A secure account is a smart account—try Knox today!
