So consider adopting a strong phishing-resistant MFA method to fight modern phishing campaigns.
How is traditional MFA susceptible to phishing attacks?
What is a phishing-resistant MFA solution, and how can it prevent phishing attacks?
What Is Multi-Factor Authentication?
The most common factors are:
Multi-factor authentication adds extra layers of security to your accounts.
It’s like adding a second or third lock to your locker.
In a typical multi-factor authentication process, you will key in your password or PIN first.
Then, you may receive the second factor on your smartphone.
This second factor can be an SMS or notification on an authenticator app.
Depending on your MFA controls, you may require to verify your identity through biometrics.
There aremany reasons to use multi-factor authentication, but can resist phishing completely?
Unfortunately, the answer is “no.”
Here are ways how hackers can bypass MFA.
Once you approve the sign-in request, the hacker can access your account.
Then they can jump in to your account and do any nasty thing that takes their fancy.
For example, you use a software-as-a-service (SaaS) vendor, and your login credentials are compromised.
Once you share the verification code, the hacker can access your account.
And they can steal or encrypt data affecting you and your vendor.
These days, hackers employadvanced phishing techniques.
So watch out for phishing attacks.
What Is Phishing-Resistant MFA?
To be considered a phishing-resistant MFA mechanism, the authenticator should be cryptographically bound to the domain.
And it should recognize a fake domain created by a hacker.
The following is how the phishing-resistant MFA technology works.
This will enable your authenticator to identify fake websites.
To start sessions, both keys (public keys and private keys) will be required.
Hackers cannot authenticate to jump in as private keys will be stored safely in hardware security keys.
Respond to Only Valid Authentication Requests
Phishing-resistant MFA responds to only valid requests.
All attempts impersonating legitimate requests will be thwarted.
Why You Should Implement Phishing-Resistant MFA
Adopting phishing-resistant MFA offers multiple benefits.
It eliminates the human element from the equation.
Consequently, phishing-resistant MFA can prevent data breaches in your company.
What’s more, a good phishing-resistant MFA, like the latest FIDO2 authentication method, improves user experience.
So you’ve got the option to understand that phishing-resistant MFA is critical for cybersecurity.
FIDO2/WebAuthn Authentication is a widely used phishing-resistant authentication method.
It allows you to use common devices to authenticate in mobile and desktop environments.
FIDO2 authentication offers strong security through cryptographic login credentials unique to each website.
And login credentials never leave your unit.
You cancheck FIDO2 productsto go for the right product to implement phishing-resistant MFA.
Another way to implement phishing-resistant MFA is to use public key infrastructure (PKI) based solutions.
PIV smart cards, credit cards, and e-Passports use this PKI-based technology.
So implement phishing-resistant MFA to prevent hackers from taking over your accounts.
