Last Updated on March 2, 2024
Ensuring that you are secure on the internet can prevent quite a bit of trouble, including identity theft, fraud, and more.
There are a few ways to ensure that the only person who can access your account will always be you, and one of the best ways to do so is through using multi-factor authentication software.
This kind of authentication will require an access key from a token dispenser, though that kind of outdated system has largely been replaced by the use of smart devices.
However, despite all of their convenience, smartphones and tablets aren’t as secure as you may expect them to be, and here is why.
The Phone Can Be Lost or Damaged
The most significant and common concern when dealing with two-factor authentication on your smart device is that the device itself can end up getting lost or it can break.
Since most of us carry our phones around daily, they’re exposed to plenty of situations where they can be rendered unusable as an authenticator.
If you lose your phone or it gets broken, then there is no guarantee that you’ll have immediate access to the account that you need, even if the requirement is urgent.
You’ll often have to call customer service so that they can reset your two-factor authentication settings before you are allowed to access your account.
Lack of Security
Compared to traditional MFA methods, using a phone as your second factor can end up being insecure because of the way that our phones relay information.
Some authentication apps will send the data over SMS, which can easily be intercepted by anyone who is trying hard enough to hack your account.
Of course, for most accounts, hackers won’t put this much effort into getting your info, but if it is something highly secure, then you probably won’t want to use your phone.
Even some authenticator apps may not relay your code through a secure enough network, leaving you vulnerable.
Not Truly Two-Factor
The whole intent of multi-factor authentication is so that your account is not accessible from a single point, though using a smartphone for that task defeats it right off the bat.
Since most smartphones have access to your email, which is another way into your account, then it’s not truly two-factor authentication.
This means that if your phone ever gets stolen, then someone will have a much easier time hacking into your accounts, provided they can get into the device first.
If you want to be as secure as possible, you’ll want to remain logged out of any emails that you use for accounts on your phone.
Conclusion
While multi-factor authentication can make your accounts a lot more secure, it can also lull you into a false sense of security, so be sure to take all necessary precautions.
Remember that smartphones lose in security what they make up for in convenience when it comes to these authentication methods.