Data breaches can expose your customer's sensitive data, company secrets, and more, leaving people vulnerable to having their data stolen and accounts hacked into. You have a duty as a business to protect your customers and taking risks with their data could lose their trust, and impact your company’s reputation.

How the bad actors can do this?

Data leakage can occur from deceiving the owner of the data, such as phishing via phone, SMS, social media, email, fake websites, and from data theft by ill-wishers, such as secretly installing keystroke loggers, using password guessing programs, or intercepting data from unsecured Wi-Fi. The online world have so many unscrupulous people who takes advantage of naivety.

In terms of phishing, we can prevent it by being mindful and not following what ill-wishers use to deceive. We must check carefully before answering or giving information back, including the sender, content, source, and all details such as website name, URL link, domain.

And in terms of data theft, it can be prevented by regularly updating the system and software, installing antivirus and anti-malware programs, and using secure networks. Using firewalls, checking for unusual activities, etc.

We all have to use various online systems or platforms, such as email registration, applications, financial services, platforms used for work, where all of them contain our important information. And there is a way for users to access their own information by using passwords. It is a basic method for securing information that has been used for a long time. Currently, the complexity of passwords has been developed to be difficult to guess in order to be more secure.

Is logging in using "usernames and passwords" still safe?

Using passwords (Passwords) is a standard security system for accessing important online information and services that have been used for a long time. But there are still errors from it.

• Using a simple password. It should be at least 8 characters long, consisting of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers.

• Using an easy-to-guess password, such as "12345678" or "password".

• Using a password from personal information, such as date of birth, ID card number.

• Using the same password for a long time without changing it.

• Using the same password on every platform for every service. If there is a place that leaks password information Attackers can use the information to log in to other places.

One way to prevent errors related to password usage and increase user security is to use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Many companies and platforms use this system, such as online banking, social media, cloud services, and other platforms. 2FA is part of the security policy, ensuring that the system is highly protected.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

It is a system that requires users to verify their identity twice. The first time is by entering their username and password as usual. After that, they will be asked for a second password, which will be sent directly to the user to confirm that they are really the user. The password can be sent in several ways, such as sending a verification code via;

By email, SMS, or using an authentication application such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator.

Advantages of using two-step authentication

1. Increase security

Using 2FA is to add a verification step in addition to the normal password. This makes it impossible for malicious people who know the password to access the account without a second set of passwords sent in the form of an OTP or by viewing the password from the device used for authentication.

2. Prevent password guessing attacks

Even if the attacker knows or guesses the password correctly, using 2FA still requires additional verification that the attacker cannot easily access, such as a password sent to a mobile phone or application.

3. Reduce the risk of phishing

Phishing attacks often aim to get users to reveal their passwords. However, using 2FA increases the difficulty of accessing the user's information or account because the attacker will still need additional information or devices to access the account.

4. Prevent unauthorized remote access

2FA can prevent access from unknown users or devices that have never been used because the user must verify their identity from the device they are holding, such as a mobile phone.

5. Reduce the impact of data theft

If account information is leaked, using 2FA can reduce the damage. Because attackers cannot access information or accounts using passwords alone.

6. Easy to use

Nowadays, there are many convenient and versatile ways to use 2FA, such as sending passwords via SMS, email, or using authentication apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, so users do not have to carry additional special devices.

7. Build confidence for users

Using 2FA helps users feel confident that their accounts are well protected from attacks and unauthorized access, making them feel more secure.

At Taxmail, we are increasing the security of our customers with 2FA.

Recently, Taxmail has adjusted its service policy by requiring all users to use the 2FA system. Users can enable Two-factor authentication by downloading the Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator applications. If any user has not enabled it, the system will automatically request a password via email. This is to increase the security of all users.

Summary

Currently, there are many online platforms and each platform has very important information stored to protect this information from malicious people, enabling Two-Factor Authentication is a simple method that works very well.

Leading platforms are prioritizing data security by adding two-factor authentication, which makes data more secure and gives users confidence that their information is well protected.

By adhering to the practices outlined in this article can significantly enhance the security of your online account and ensure the sensitive informations are private. Stay ahead of potential threats in the ever-changing digital landscape.