Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) is the simplest way to greatly increase your security within your online environment.
Most online applications/accounts that require you to provide a username and password now also offer an MFA option and increasing it is become compulsory.

What is MFA, it is a second way, after your password, to confirm you are the person the account belongs to. The MFA service will communicate with you usually with a txt or authentication app which will provide you with a code to use to complete your login.

How do you set it up, most apps will provide you with a link to set up MFA on the login screen. The setup process will prompt you for a device i.e. phone number to communicate with. If the authentication method uses an app this will need to be installed on the device.

Once set up some apps like email will allow you to set up the login to only require the MFA on each device every 30 days or so, while other apps like banking will require MFA every time you log in.
There are also a number of other options and nuances with MFA:

• Backup confirmation methods, it is advisable to set up alternative methods of MFA confirmation in the event your preferred device is unavailable. Options vary depending on the application, but they usually include the ability to nominate another phone number for you to receive the code or an emergency code which needs to be stored securely and not with your password.
• Dedicated device passwords (app passwords), if you have a device (i.e. a printer that emails directly) that does not provide for MFA you have the options to request the application to generate a unique complex password for that device. When your application receives the username and this unique password it will bypass the MFA requirement.

Usually, MFA is straight forward to set up, works seamlessly and creates very little extra work for you considering the tremendous added security that you get. Should you require any help setting it up, managing it or have a situation where it is not working as it should please give us a call.

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