More is more...

When it comes to security, more password complexity, more levels of authentication and more secure approaches improve your computer and network security.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) matters because passwords alone are no longer enough.

Even strong, unique passwords can be stolen through:

• phishing,

• keyloggers,

• data breaches,

• credential stuffing.

When 2FA is enabled, an attacker who knows your password still can’t log in without the second factor (usually your phone, hardware key, or biometric). This single layer blocks ~99.9% of automated and bulk credential-stuffing attacks (per Microsoft and Google’s public data).

In real-world terms:

• If a site you use gets breached (happens daily), your leaked password becomes worthless to attackers.

• Phishing becomes far harder; most fake login pages can’t capture or relay the time-based code or push notification.

2FA turns a “knowledge” secret (something you know) into “knowledge + possession,” raising the bar from trivial to extremely difficult for most attackers. It’s the single highest-impact security step after using unique passwords.

WHY 2FA STOPS 99.9% OF ATTACKS

Password only Password + 2FA

███████ ███████ ░░░░░

Attacker has it → Still missing the 2nd factor

Account compromised → Login blocked

Real numbers (Microsoft & Google 2023-2024)

• 99.9% of automated attacks blocked by MFA

• 100% of credential-stuffing attacks stopped

• < 1 in 10,000 MFA users compromised vs. 1 in 20 without

Most common 2FA methods (from best to worst)

1. Hardware key (YubiKey) – virtually unphishable

2. Authenticator app (Google Auth, Authy, Microsoft)

3. Push notification (Duo, Microsoft, Google Prompt)

4. SMS codes – still beats nothing but a distant 4th to a hardware key

Enable 2FA everywhere. Takes 60 seconds, saves years of pain. Stay secure!