Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security measure that adds an additional layer of protection to your accounts beyond just a username and password. It requires at least two of the following types of identification:
- Something you know (like a password)
- Something you have (like a physical security key or a smartphone app)
- Something you are (like a fingerprint or facial recognition)
Using MFA greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts, as even if a criminal gains access to your login credentials, they still need to provide the additional factor of identification to access your account.
With all of that said ... updates to bot malware can be particularly dangerous because it has recently bypassed MFA. Once a criminal has access to your entire user profile, they may be able to use your cookies and device configurations to impersonate you and trick security systems, effectively disabling MFA and accessing your accounts without needing the additional factor of identification. Since 2018, 5 million people have had 26.6 million usernames and passwords stolen, compromising accounts including those on Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. The worst part is once your information is stolen, it can be sold on the dark web for as little as $5.
To keep your profiles and business protected from bot malware, it's crucial to take action now. Consider the following steps:
- Update your antivirus software and keep it on at all times.
- Use a password manager and MFA to keep your login credentials safer.
- Encrypt all your files so that there's very little to steal if anyone does access your profile.
At our company, we specialize in helping clients with these issues every day. If you need help, please reach out to us.
