Password Exploitation
Why password exploitation is SCARY
When your password is compromised, someone can impersonate you online and gain access to personal information, such as credit cards, bank statements and your social security number.
Using a complex password isn’t enough anymore. Password authentication can be beaten a number of ways—guessing, social engineering, phishing, pharming, session hijacking, etc. When your account is compromised, you open yourself up to financial losses and criminal activity.
Why password exploitation is NOT SCARY
While username and password defenses are defeated regularly, multi-factor authentication provides more substantial protection. According to Microsoft, multi-factor authentication blocks 99.9% of automated attacks.
Multi-factor authentication is a method of log-on verification where at least two different factors of proof are required. It’s typically a combination of a password or PIN number, with a code sent via text message or email. It adds an extra step to sign in, which makes it far more difficult for a hacker to break into your accounts.
Multi-factor authentication, while effective, is underdeployed. To secure your customer’s data, multi-factor, or two-factor authentication, is a must. Make sure your organization has the skills to implement these security measures or there’s a greater chance your customers will fall victim to password attacks and identity theft.
Add to your cyber skill set
Security+ Certification Prep Course
Learn how to plan, implement, and maintain information security in a vendor-neutral format. Security+ will help you understand cyberattacks, including how hackers crack passwords. It also teaches how to quickly respond to these types of attacks.
Master the techniques required to protect a network. This course has an entire module on identity management, with a focus on password policies and assessment tools. There’s also a lab that teaches how to manage passwords.
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Password exploitation