Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Written by Chip Severance | Jan 7, 2022 2:49:40 PM

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security approach which uses additional types of required inputs from a user at the time of a login attempt to help confirm identity. The additional requirements come in the form of a combination of the following:

- - - - Something you know (password)
      - Something you have (a phone, security token, or smart ID/badge)
      - Something you are (biometric scan--like a fingerprint, retina, or face)
      - In other cases, location or calendar data may be used for conditional access rules
      - Behavioral data such as typing speed can even be used to help validate identity

Microsoft reports based on their research that MFA can prevent over 99.9% of account compromise attacks.

(source: https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2019/08/20/one-simple-action-you-can-take-to-prevent-99-9-percent-of-account-attacks/)

MFA Examples & Enablement Process:

The popularity of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and the rapid advancements in the field of biometric scanning have given way to the mass availability of the related technologies. These factors have led to MFA security being currently available for use in many forms by every type of user. The most commonly used Multi-Factor Authentication methods are the following:

Push Notification
A notification is sent directly to a device/app that prompts for approval or allows for a provided code to be entered to complete authentication.

One-Time Password (OTP)/Security Code

- - - - A code sent via email to a trusted email address
      - A call made to a trusted phone number
      - A code generated by a software security token or authenticator app
      - A code generated by a hardware security token

Biometric Input

- - - - Fingerprint, face, retina (eye), voice, hand, or iris (eye) scan
      - Microsoft’s Windows Hello, Apple’s Touch ID & Face ID, Android’s fingerprint and retinal scanners are popular biometric scanning solutions among end-user devices.

While the process to enable MFA various across the many available types of devices, accounts, and operating systems will vary, the process to enable MFA-based security typically involves an initial setup. The setup process for MFA typically identifies which other methods of authentication should be trusted and then performs a confirmation test before updating their records with any new trusted authentication method.

For more information on how to enable MFA on each specific device or service you have, consult the manufacturer's support site. In many cases, however, you can simply search for “MFA,” “Multi-Factor Authentication,” “2FA,” or “2 Factor Authentication” in the settings or alternatively look for a settings category such as “security,” “account,” “login,” or possibly “advanced” and browse to the option to activate MFA security.

Some examples of how to setup MFA in common applications are listed below:

Microsoft Account:

How to setup two-step verification with your Microsoft Account

Turning two-step verification on or off for your Microsoft account

Secure access to resources with multifactor authentication

Apple Account:

Two-factor authentication for Apple ID

Manage two-factor authentication from iPhone

Google Account:

Google 2-Step Verification

Amazon Account:

Amazon - About Multi-Factor Authentication

Amazon - What is Two-Step Verification?