You will have noticed that banks and other financial institutions now commonly offer a means of providing an additional form of identification. After entering a user name and password, the user must use a pre-defined method to provide an additional form of authentication. Usually, this is in the form of a spontaneously generated key, a 6-digit number, for example. This is known as 2-factor authentication (aka 2fa, mfa, multifactor authentication) and makes those accounts much harder for hackers to break into.
Computer accounts which rely on just a single form of identification, such as logging on with a username and password, are vulnerable to attack and compromise by hackers and malware. Accounts which involve monetary transactions are the main targets.
You should look for ways to secure all your sensitive accounts with 2fa. Options for delivering the ‘2nd factor’ include: a range of apps, such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, LastPass Authenticator and so on; using a dongle, such as the YubiKey; voice call or SMS; even biometrics if you have a supporting device.
How to setup 2fa on your eBay account
- Log in to your account.
- Go to your account settings by clicking on your name in the upper left (where it says “Hi [your name]!”) and clicking Account settings in the dropdown.
- In the My Account menu on the left that now appears, click Personal information.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Personal Information screen, and you’ll see a field that says Security Information, with the 2 step verification option underneath it.
- If 2 step verification is showing as “off”, click the Edit option on the right.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to enable 2fa by voice or SMS.
Of course, using 2fa when accessing sensitive logons is just a part of an overall security strategy. It should be used in conjunction with effective password practices and a good password manager, such as Keeper or LastPass.
If your business needs help managing cybersecurity contact Baw Baw IT now.
