Much of our time is spent online. We use the internet for socializing, shopping, business, and much more. Our personal information and data are protected by nothing more than a password. Is your information safe?
We have been taught that an 8 character password with a mix of upper and lowercase letters and a number is all you need. Passwords become less secure with every passing day. Hackers create programs that can crack any password and are able to use rules and algorithms and analyze patterns. These programs can try a billion password combinations in a second and passwords that once took years to crack may now take only days. Lifehacker.com gives tips on making your password as secure as possible. Even the most secure password can be hacked and it is always best to add an extra layer of security.
Two-factor authentication can add this additional layer of security. It requires “something you know” (your password) and “something you have” (your phone) to gain access. Two-factor works by requiring a unique security code after you have entered your password. This code is sent to your phone. Even if someone is able to get your password, they will be denied access with the use of two-factor authentication.
Two-factor is gaining in use and will keep gaining in popularity. Many popular sites, such as Yahoo! mail and Facebook, use this whenever you login from a new device with more sites adding this option daily. This is a smart way to keep your data, personal information, and money safe in the cloud.
