Think internet, think connection. It’s all about bringing people together in one space, access to information and the opportunity to communicate.
From every tiny corner of the world, surfing the net has become a habit so much that people lose track of time once they get engrossed with whatever activity.
Picture yourself saying “I’ll just check in and be out in 5 minutes” only to end up spending over 30minutes on the internet. Yes, you are probably nodding in agreement, as you must have been in this situation on more than one occasion.
Despite fulfilling our leisure needs, it also affords us an opportunity to limitless information, knowledge, and skill from the very comfort of our couches.
With everyone and everything on the internet, comes the need to secure vital information, emails, social media accounts and systems, as the increase in cybercrime is on the rise.
It is important to carry a consciousness that while browsing the net, there is every possibility of account hacking and data-stealing by Internet fraudsters, who are always lying in wait to catch you unawares.
Thus, we’ll discuss the Two-Step Verification (2SV) and the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) methods of account protection, which bring stronger security to your online accounts and prevent you from becoming prey to hackers and cybercriminals.
2SV vs 2FA
2SV and 2FA are two verified means of adding an extra layer of security to your accounts; Gmail, Email, Dropbox, Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and several others, to keep the bad guys out.
2SV is a typical security method that aids the successful log-in of a user to an account using what he knows and a One-Time Password (OTP), generated by the account or app and sent to the user’s device.
When logging in to an account, you will be required to input a username and password. If you have activated a 2SV on that account before, an OTP would then be sent to a device connected to that account, which you will have to input within a stipulated time in order to get access to your account.
If you are unable to input the OTP within the stipulated time, it expires and another OTP would need to be generated and re-sent to your device. Basically, this works with your password and an OTP.
2FA, works almost like the 2SV, with a very slight difference. It is also a typical means of adding an extra layer of security to your online accounts, systems, applications, software and even some home gadgets like a security door.
It requires you to provide your username, a password and a security code which will be sent to your device. This security code is not an OTP, although can’t be used on another attempt to log in, but can be used within the period of gaining access to your account.
With 2FA, you can also activate other means of authentication on your online accounts, for instance, using a biometric authentication form; that could be a fingerprint scanner or a facial recognition device.
2SV provides security to your account based on two things; your password and a security question on who you are.
These two methods of account authentication primarily serve the same purpose, security and protection, which strengthens online privacy using the same process but with slight differences in their approach.
It is important to note that activating an authentication method on all accounts and systems can not be overemphasized.
Whichever of these two forms of authentication is activated based on choice, what matters is that one does not fall prey to internet hackers and cybercriminals.
Even if they are able to break through the first layer of security that has been established, which is your usual password, because of the extra layer of security you have activated on the account, the bad guys will technically have to pass through you to get access, since the code needed for access is been sent to the account owner’s device or email. Having one layer of security to your accounts is not enough!
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