IT Services and Support Providers: Text Codes No Longer Protect Accounts!

Why MFA Upgrade is Necessary 

Multi-Factor Authentication or MFA is an old security necessity. It introduces a second authentication process for passwords. And yes, in this day and age, it is already an “old” technology. For the uninitiated, this additional layer of protection previously prevented most fundamental attacks. Nonetheless, over time, cybersecurity and IT services and support providers have noted that cyber threats have evolved once more, and even MFA is now the target of attackers. 

IT Services and Support Providers Text Codes No Longer Protect Accounts!

IT Services and Support Providers Explains How It Works 

MFA is mostly conducted via SMS. It basically transmits brief numeric messages to cell phones that serve as a code to open the secondary lock in apps and devices. This approach is natural and easy and adds another layer of protection after passwords. Regrettably, however, the convenience has opened this feature to vulnerabilities, and cyber attackers are more than happy to take advantage of it. Hence, companies that deal with sensitive information are still at risk and none the safer without the help of experts from cybersecurity and IT services and support professionals that can employ phishing-resistant and more robust options.  

Why SMS-Based MFA Is Inherently Weak 

SMS makes use of cellular network infrastructure. Unfortunately, that infrastructure has known security vulnerabilities due to a significant problem in the SS7 protocols. IT services and support experts explain that these procedures control carrier network communications. However, these SS7 vulnerabilities can be used by attackers remotely and do not require physical phone access. Therefore, text messages are silently intercepted, diverted, or injected. Everything occurs in carrier systems. On top of this, SMS is prone to phishing attacks as well. Counterfeit logins deceive users with ease and credential, and SMS codes are entered by the victims. Attackers then take everything on-the-fly, and access is granted instantly. Since SMS is still popular, there is a high rate of attackers targeting it. Familiarity and outdated technology are a magnet for new threats and attackers to gain an advantage of convenience. 

The Real Danger of SIM Swapping Attack 

One of the greatest SMS threats is SIM swapping. This social engineering attack happens during carrier support calls; criminals act as victims. They then argue that phones were lost or broken, and the phone number can be transferred by support agents. The number is then transferred to a different SIM card owned by the hacker, and the phone of the victim goes dead. Hence, as a result, all calls and texts meant for the original owner are sent to the attackers. This includes MFA codes and password resets are made moot. Furthermore, banking and email accounts are lost. What makes this more alarming, says IT services and support professionals, is that this attack does not need any sophisticated hacking tools but instead preys on human trust.   

Phishing-Resistant MFA from Reliable IT Services and Support Providers Is Now Essential 

An MFA that is resistant to phishing eliminates the risks of user manipulation. Additionally, it destroys reusable secrets altogether as authentication is made cryptographic and bounded. Hence, stolen credentials cannot be used to access the app or device. According to trusted IT services and support specialists, a leading standard is FIDO2 that employs public key cryptography. This credentialing is service-based, and authenticators check domain authenticity automatically. With this, authentication fails in case a phishing site is involved. Moreover, credential release is blocked by the mismatch of domains. Hence, users are still safeguarded even when they are deceived. This does away with OTPs and passwords requiring attackers to breach physical equipment that is far more difficult.   

Using Hardware Security Keys for Maximum Protection 

Hardware security keys also have good anti-phishing capabilities. These gadgets are like flash drives. Some of these support wireless mobile authentication while others just need physical touch. To log in, the key has to be inserted or tapped, and the machine carries out a cryptographic handshake. And because no codes are typed manually, nothing can be intercepted remotely. With hardware security keys, the attackers are unable to steal credentials over the Internet since physical possession is mandatory. Access cannot be done without the key, hence, severely minimizes the success of attacks. Hardware keys are effective with privileged users such as administrators and executives since they secure valuable points of access.   

Strengthening Access with Authenticator Applications 

Authenticator applications are better than SMS. This is because codes are created on the devices. There is no cellular transmission, so SIM swapping cannot be done. It is frequent with such applications such as Google or Microsoft Authenticator. They are more secure in the short run although not every implementation is equal. Push-based approvals give rise to new dangers. Because of this, attackers can send out repeat approval requests which creates MFA fatigue. As a result, angry users can accept requests without looking and access is provided accidentally. Number matching is currently employed in modern apps. Users validate the displayed user numbers. This makes physical presence certain. Without much difficulty, approvals are avoided accidentally.  

Passkeys and the Move Toward Passwordless Security 

Passwords are always vulnerable to scaling, according to IT services and support experts. This is because credential exposures occur continuously. The use of passkeys eliminates passwords as they are locked up in devices. Biometrics can also be used to access passkeys which are safeguarded by fingerprints or facial scans and are phishing resistant. So, credentials are never transferred out of the device. Passkeys are compatible with trusted ecosystems and are compatible with iCloud and Google. Users have convenience and high security. The workload of IT support is reduced. It eliminates the need to reset passwords. Risks of credential storage are eliminated. Security increases, and the friction is reduced. This is the future direction.  

Balancing Security Improvements with User Adoption 

MFA that relies on SMS needs to change, says IT services and support professionals. Text messages are familiar to users, whereas new tools can be strange. The first kind of resistance is normal. However, you can decrease friction through education. Elaborating on SIM swapping risks and demonstration of the phishing process are good examples. People react more appropriately when educated and gradual implementations facilitate changes. Begin with high-risk accounts where the privileged users will be required to upgrade. This is because administrative access should never be safeguarded by SMS. On top of tools and reliable IT services and support providers, the culture of security is the first line of defense against hackers. Knowledge brings about acceptance, and powerful systems are successful only when they are trusted by the users.  

Moving Forward Better Security with Trusted IT Services and Support Providers 

False confidence is created by Legacy MFA, and real security remains weak. Over time, violations are unavoidable, and the cost of incident response is rising rapidly. Moreover, the negative effects of a reputation are longer-lasting while recovery processes are resource-consuming. 

Prevention costs far less. Get in touch with EB Solution’s team of expert cybersecurity and IT services and support professionals to get a head start on your upgraded security. 

Call us today!