According to a 2021 PC Mag study, 70% of people admit they use the same password for more than one account. Using weak or similar passwords makes a hacker’s life a lot easier and can give them access to more materials than they could dream of.
Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) – which prompts a user to input a second set of verifying information such as a secure code sent to a mobile device or a request to sign-in via an authenticator app – is a highly effective action that anyone can take to drastically reduce the chances of a cybercriminal accessing your accounts or personal information.
While MFA or 2FA may result in a few extra steps during the login process, it is an essential tool to safeguard data and it can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful attempt by a cybercriminal. In fact, according to Microsoft, MFA is 99.9 percent effective in preventing breaches. Therefore, it is a must for any individual looking to secure their devices and accounts.
Learn more about the University of Chicago’s 2FA tools that will enhance the security of your CNetID account. Many of the University’s most frequently used online services and systems use 2FA for additional protection, including the Grants Management System (AURA), Workday, UChicago Canvas, Box, G Suite, the Academic Information System (AIS), and many others.
Note: Not every account offers MFA or 2FA, but it’s becoming more popular every day. It’s seen on many accounts that usually hold either valuable financial or personal information like banks, online stores, or social media platforms. Any place online that is storing your personal information (especially financial information), or any account that can be compromised and used to trick or defraud someone else should be protected with MFA or 2FA. Simply put, use MFA everywhere!