October 27, 2025
Just as you wouldn't drive without your seat belt or leave your office door unlocked at night, you shouldn't navigate the online world without multifactor authentication (MFA). It's an essential safeguard for your digital security.
MFA acts as a robust second lock on your online accounts. Instead of relying solely on passwords—which can be hacked, guessed, or phished—it requires an extra verification step like a text message code, an authentication app prompt, or a fingerprint scan. Even if someone steals your password, without this additional layer, they won't gain access.
One Simple Step Transforms Your Security
Consider your password as locking your front door each night. MFA is like activating your home security system before bed—an added defense that might not seem mandatory but offers peace of mind if one security layer is compromised.
MFA adds a quick, extra step to confirm your identity whenever you sign in. Known also as "two-step verification," "two-factor authentication," or "one-time passwords," it always means requiring two or more forms of proof to grant access to sensitive information.
MFA can take many forms: confirmation emails when creating accounts, security questions from banks, text message codes, push notifications, or phone calls. Most options involve just a simple tap or code entry.
How MFA Protects You in Real-Life Scenarios
While MFA is quick and effortless for users—just approve a notification or enter a code—it poses a major roadblock for hackers. If someone unauthorized tries logging into your account, MFA instantly notifies you and prompts for verification. This early alert lets you update your password promptly, before your data is compromised.
MFA also prevents access even if a hacker tricks an employee into sharing their login details. Without completing the second verification step, access is denied. In fact, Microsoft reports that enabling MFA cuts account compromise risk by over 99.2%, reaching a 99.99% reduction for accounts with MFA active.
Where to Enable MFA and How to Do It
Key accounts you should protect with MFA include:
- Banking and financial applications
- Email and cloud storage services
- Social media platforms
- Work accounts containing client or confidential data
Enabling MFA is typically straightforward. Most major platforms come with built-in options—choose the one that fits you best and integrate it into your routine. Using authenticator apps further strengthens security for staff access.
In essence, activating MFA is a fast, cost-free way to block most hacking attempts. Spend a few minutes setting it up today to prevent costly, time-consuming damage control and data breaches later.
The easiest path to MFA setup is working with your IT provider. A skilled managed service provider (MSP) will streamline the process. Need cybersecurity expertise? Click here or call us at 801-997-8000 to schedule a 10-Minute Discovery Call with our team now.
