- All
- IT Services
- Information Security
Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community
1
Phishing attacks
2
SIM swapping
Be the first to add your personal experience
3
Man-in-the-middle attacks
4
Malware infections
5
Social engineering
6
Here’s what else to consider
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security mechanism that requires users to provide two pieces of evidence to verify their identity before accessing a system or service. 2FA can enhance the protection of sensitive data and accounts from unauthorized access, but it is not flawless. In this article, you will learn about some of the most common 2FA vulnerabilities and how to avoid them.
Key takeaways from this article
-
Secure your seeds:
Protect the initial setup codes for authentication apps from unauthorized access. Treat these seeds like ultra-sensitive passwords and never share them or leave them exposed during setup.
-
Be skeptical online:
Always question unexpected requests for personal information, even if they seem to come from familiar sources. This vigilance helps you stay one step ahead of phishing attempts and social engineering tricks.
This summary is powered by AI and these experts
- Jamie Gillespie APNIC | Building and Training Cyber…
- Sanjay Modha Manager - IT infrastructure | 11 years…
1 Phishing attacks
One of the most prevalent and effective ways to bypass 2FA is through phishing attacks, which are designed to trick users into revealing their credentials or 2FA codes to malicious actors. Phishing attacks can use various methods, such as spoofed emails, fake websites, or voice calls, to impersonate legitimate entities and persuade users to click on malicious links, enter their login details, or provide their 2FA codes. To prevent phishing attacks, you should always check the sender, the URL, and the content of any communication that asks for your personal information or 2FA codes. You should also use a trusted browser and antivirus software, and avoid opening attachments or downloading files from unknown sources.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Sanjay Modha Manager - IT infrastructure | 11 years Experience | Cloud Expert | Microsoft Certified | Project Management | IT Services Management | Checkpoint maestro | Network Security | Information Security
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Phishing AttacksMan-in-the-Middle AttacksSocial EngineeringSIM SwappingAuthentication Code TheftWeak PasswordsDevice TheftBiometric Spoofing.Backup Code MismanagementAccount Recovery Weaknesses
Like
Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 2 - Piradeepan N. Information Technology Operations Manager @ Qwiet AI
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Phishing attacks are the most common attacks where users get tricked. Training non-tech department users on social engineering concepts regularly is essential as they often become vulnerable to these attacks.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 3 -
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Embora a autenticação de dois fatores (2FA) seja uma camada adicional de segurança eficaz, existem algumas vulnerabilidades que podem comprometer sua eficácia. Cito algumas:- Phishing- Ataques de Redefinição de Senha- Ataques de Engenharia Social- Vulnerabilidades em Aplicativos Móveis- Roubo de Dispositivos- Ataques de Força Bruta- Vulnerabilidades em SMS- Ataques Man-in-the-Middle (MITM):- Ataques a Dispositivos ConfiançaPara mitigar essas vulnerabilidades, é crucial adotar boas práticas de segurança, como educação do usuário, implementação de medidas antiphishing, monitoramento contínuo e uso de métodos de autenticação de segundo fator mais robustos, como aplicativos autenticadores em vez de SMS.
Translated
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1 - Manan Vora Leading Security Architecture and Engineering in Tredence, MSc IT, CISSP, CISM, Security+, API Security Architect, Azure 2x, Forcepoint 3x, Fortinet 3x, PCI DSSv4.0 Implementor, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 LA, CCIO
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Phishing attacks are turned out to be most effective way. It has been reported as one of top attack vectors by various well known Cyber Security researchers. Phishing attacks can use various methods such as spoofed email, fake websites, fake whatsapp messages, voice calls etc.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1 - Hardik Patil 3x AWS Certified | Cloud Engineer at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S Department of Energy | Dev, Security, Operations | Actively looking for full-time opportunities as a Cloud/DevOps Engineer
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
AI generated audio and video, also known as deepfakes, presents another significant phishing threat. By mimicking the voice, facial expressions, and mannerisms of a person, attackers can create convincing messages that many may find virtual identical from the real thing. Well, such tactics could be used to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive personal or financial information, believing they are interacting with someone they know and trust.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1
Load more contributions
2 SIM swapping
Another common 2FA vulnerability is SIM swapping, which is a form of identity theft that involves transferring a user's phone number to a new SIM card controlled by a hacker. This way, the hacker can intercept any 2FA codes sent via SMS or phone call to the user's phone number, and use them to access their accounts. SIM swapping can be done by exploiting the weaknesses of mobile network operators, such as social engineering, poor authentication, or insider threats. To prevent SIM swapping, you should avoid using SMS or phone call as your 2FA method, and opt for more secure alternatives, such as authenticator apps, hardware tokens, or biometrics. You should also monitor your phone activity, and report any suspicious changes or messages to your mobile network operator.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
3 Man-in-the-middle attacks
A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyberattack that involves intercepting and modifying the communication between two parties, such as a user and a server, without their knowledge. A MITM attack can compromise 2FA by capturing the user's credentials and 2FA codes, and relaying them to the server, while displaying a fake or delayed response to the user. A MITM attack can be executed by exploiting the vulnerabilities of the network, the device, or the application that the user is using to access the service. To prevent MITM attacks, you should always use a secure and encrypted connection, such as HTTPS, VPN, or SSL, when accessing online services. You should also verify the identity and the certificate of the server, and avoid using public or untrusted networks or devices.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Gaurav Gulati Vice President | CyberSecurity | DataSecurity | AIML | Security+ | AZ-900
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Man in the Middle attack is one the most common cyber attack when it comes to accessing the banking websites. The concepts of security need to be widely spread and as many people should be educated on this. One of the simple way to avoid the attack is to only access HTTPS url's which implies a secure connection between Client and the server and helps identify the two parties using TLS certificate.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 2
4 Malware infections
Malware is a malicious software that can infect a user's device and perform various harmful actions, such as stealing data, spying on activities, or damaging files. Malware can also bypass 2FA by capturing the user's keystrokes, screenshots, or clipboard data, and sending them to a remote server controlled by a hacker. This way, the hacker can obtain the user's credentials and 2FA codes, and use them to access their accounts. Malware can be delivered to a user's device through various channels, such as phishing emails, infected websites, or removable media. To prevent malware infections, you should always use a reputable and updated antivirus software, and scan your device regularly. You should also avoid clicking on suspicious links, opening unknown attachments, or inserting untrusted media into your device.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Jamie Gillespie APNIC | Building and Training Cyber Security Teams (and Individuals), While Making The Internet More Resilient 🔒
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
One aspect not often discussed is that malware (or any attacker commands) can access the seeds for TOPT (such as Google Authenticator).TOTP applications start with a seed, usually presented as a QR code when setting it up, and the mobile application scans in the QR code to input the seed. This seed is like a password, that when combined with the current time produces a rolling 6 digit number. The seed can be copied by malware on a device, or also by another device scanning the QR code during the setup phase. Two devices with the same seed will generate the same rolling 6 digit code.Incidentally, this weakness in the seed is why Google refers to this as Two Step Verification (2SV) as opposed to Two Factor Authentication (2FA).
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 2
5 Social engineering
Social engineering is a technique that involves manipulating or deceiving users into revealing their personal information or performing actions that compromise their security. Social engineering can bypass 2FA by persuading users to share their credentials or 2FA codes with a hacker, who pretends to be a trusted person, such as a friend, a colleague, or a support agent. Social engineering can also involve creating fake scenarios, such as emergencies, rewards, or threats, that pressure users to act quickly or irrationally. To prevent social engineering, you should always verify the identity and the intention of anyone who contacts you and asks for your personal information or 2FA codes. You should also be wary of any unusual or urgent requests, and never give away your credentials or 2FA codes to anyone.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Manan Vora Leading Security Architecture and Engineering in Tredence, MSc IT, CISSP, CISM, Security+, API Security Architect, Azure 2x, Forcepoint 3x, Fortinet 3x, PCI DSSv4.0 Implementor, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 LA, CCIO
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
In the past Social Engineering turned out to be most effective skill to bypass complex security controls such as 2FA. To prevent such attack its important to be mindful about what we share and with whom we are sharing. Try to avoid urgent request or last min request. Practice of sticking to process is always effective in such scenarios.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1
6 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
-
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Insightful article. I would like to add "weak recovery process" for account and/or password. All the services provides various alternative ways to recover your account when a user losses access to 2FA device or code or app. However, these methods could be exploited to bypass/reset the 2FA altogether.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1
Information Security
Information Security
+ Follow
Rate this article
We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great
Thanks for your feedback
Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.
Tell us more
Tell us why you didn’t like this article.
If you think something in this article goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
We appreciate you letting us know. Though we’re unable to respond directly, your feedback helps us improve this experience for everyone.
If you think this goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
More articles on Information Security
No more previous content
- You're relying on third-party tools for remote work security. How do you ensure your data stays safe?
- You're worried about security risks with public Wi-Fi use. How can you protect your company's data? 4 contributions
- You're leading a team with diverse cybersecurity knowledge. How can you unite them against common threats? 2 contributions
- You're developing a mobile app. How can you balance user experience and data security effectively? 1 contribution
- You're facing a surge in remote workforce numbers. How can you effectively manage access control? 2 contributions
- You're facing conflicting opinions on security and performance. How do you find the right balance? 1 contribution
- You're dealing with multiple data breach incidents. How do you decide which actions to prioritize? 1 contribution
No more next content
Explore Other Skills
- IT Strategy
- System Administration
- Technical Support
- Cybersecurity
- IT Management
- Software Project Management
- IT Consulting
- IT Operations
- Data Management
- Information Technology
More relevant reading
- Computer Repair What are the most common security vulnerabilities that can be addressed during IT project implementation?
- Cybersecurity How can you train employees to follow authentication best practices?
- Information Security What are the common cybersecurity risks mitigated by penetration testing?
- Network Security How do you detect and respond to mobile security threats?
