Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is an added layer of protection for online accounts. MFA is used to protect sensitive data. When MFA is enabled, users must complete both authentication factors to gain access.
MFA works by requiring at least two forms of authentication. First, by entering correct login credentials. Second is by push notification sent as a code to a text or email or another unique identifier. This is a strong security protocol. Passwords can get stolen or exposed in data breaches, but MFA codes are harder to obtain since it normally requires direct interaction with the authorized user. Unfortunately, hackers have found ways to bypass MFA protection. These attacks can be divided into two families, software-based attacks and social engineering-based attacks.
Some of the attacks hackers use include malware, man in the middle attacks, misconfigured our out-of-date software, and credential stuffing. Hackers may also impersonate log in pages, rely on MFA fatigue, gain access to messaging systems, or utilize SIM swapping.
You can help prevent MFA Bypass on your accounts by following a few steps:
Change your passwords regularly.
Never reuse old passwords.
Never use the same password for multiple accounts.
Create passwords with complexity.