Today protecting our accounts is not just a matter of using a good password. Luckily we have other tools and methods at our disposal that we can use. One of those methods is what we know as two-factor authentication or 2FA. This allows us to create an extra layer of security to prevent intruders from entering our accounts. However, we may also have problems that put these methods at risk. Therefore in this article we are going to explain what 2FA hijacking is .
Two-factor authentication essential
As we have mentioned, the use of passwords is not enough to protect our accounts. It is true that it is obviously a priority and that we must apply. It is very important to use a key that is really strong and secure, however it is also necessary to use two-step authentication whenever possible.
Two-step or two-factor authentication is basically something in addition to the password. One more measure that protects us to prevent the entry of intruders who can access our accounts.
If someone, for whatever reason, were to steal or guess our password on a certain service or Internet platform, they would need a second step to enter. That is what is known as two-factor authentication. That second step is usually a security code that must be entered. We often receive this code through SMS, although we can also make use of specific applications.
As we can see, using 2FA is very important if we really want to protect our accounts. Every time there are more services and platforms that have compatibility with this function and it is highly recommended that we apply it.
What is 2FA hijacking
After what we have briefly explained about what two-step authentication is and how it works we can get an idea of what 2FA hijacking is . Basically it consists of somehow stealing that code or skipping that step to log in. It is something that puts our security and privacy at risk.
There are several cases that we can mention. One of them, the most common, is the 2FA hijacking when we receive the code by SMS. This means that we are going to have a malware on our device capable of stealing that code that we have received by a message. This way you can send it directly to a server controlled by hackers.
It may also happen that there is some type of malware on our computer capable of interfering with applications that act as 2FA. We already know that we can receive the code by SMS or use a third-party application that can provide us with that second step.
Many of these malicious programs that we mention usually work due to vulnerabilities found in the system. This is something that we can correct and in this way not compromise our privacy and security.
How to avoid 2FA hijacking
Something basic to keep in mind is to always use security tools . A good antivirus can prevent the entry of malware that puts our devices at risk. This is something that we must apply regardless of the operating system that we are using.
It is also very important to always have the latest versions . We have mentioned that many types of malware take advantage of security flaws that are present in these devices. Therefore, we must always install the latest security patches and updates that we have available.
In this way we will avoid problems that can take advantage of possible vulnerabilities and failures that may exist. It is important that we keep the system always clean and that there are no malware or threats of any kind.
On the other hand, common sense is also very important. In many cases the malware will require us to make a mistake. For example, it could be accessing a fraudulent link or downloading a file that is actually malware. It is essential that we always keep common sense in mind.
