What is Two Factor Authentication or 2FA?

Two factor authentication, also known as 2FA is an additional layer of security for an online account, such as logging into your website or email, your smartphone and even a door. It requires a second form of identification in addition to your username and password, and helps to keep your information more secure. The second factor or piece of information it needs could be a fingerprint or face scan, a code sent to your phone or even a retina scan.

Why is 2FA Used?

Two factor authentication is used by organisations and individuals who want to add an extra layer of protection for their personal and business information. Having 2FA, while not completely infallible, stops your accounts being accessed by hackers and cybercriminals, preventing identify theft and data loss. For instance, you may fall for a phishing scam where someone gets your password or a business has a data breach.  Two factor ensures that others cannot login to your account unless they also have access to your phone or 2FA information.

How Does Two Factor Authentication Work?

2FA works by you providing two things before accessing your account; your password and:

• something you know - pin number, security questions, password
• something you have - your phone which is sent a code, software which sends you a code
• something you are - voice recognition, fingerprint scans

What Method of 2FA Does Website World Use?

Website World uses a common form of 2FA being a time based code that you access on your mobile device. 

You can install any popular Authenticator App, like Google Authenticator, or Microsoft Authenticator. 

When you setup your 2FA for the first time, you will scan a QR code into your authenticator app. This will start a process where it generates new codes every 30 seconds. 

Anytime you login, you will also need to this code from your authenticator app. This code is always changing, and it makes it hard for any hacker to gain access to your account, even if they know your password, or have access to your email account. 

This method of 2FA is available for CMS, POS and members of your website.

Should I Use 2FA?

Using 2FA makes it a little harder for you to login to your account. However, using 2FA makes it much harder for others to gain access to your accounts and as such, if it is available, use it!