A good password is a good first step to protecting your online accounts but strong passwords alone are not enough. Cybercriminals have developed ingenious ways to obtain our passwords, through fake websites for example. These passwords are then put up for grabs on the internet.
It's quite feasible that one of your passwords is already floating around on the internet somewhere. Using your password, hackers can access your mailbox, game in your name, place orders, post something on your Facebook page, etc.
This is not something you want to happen, of course, so adding an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication is therefore advisable.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication – also referred to as 2FA or two-step verification – is a security process for your account using two authentication factors. To log in, you use a strong password and facial recognition, or a fingerprint, or a code that is sent to your mobile phone (ITSME, for example), or to an extra device (think of your bank's ‘security device’).
As you can tell, there are many ways to adequately protect your accounts. And that's good news, because even when scammers get your password, they can't do much with it without the second key. Two-step verification protects your online accounts much better and it is not at all difficult to set up.
Do as Herstappe does
With the slogan ‘Do as Herstappe does: keep cybercriminals out’, the Centre for Cybersecurity, Febelfin and the Cyber Security Coalition urge all Belgians to use two-step verification.
Herstappe is the smallest municipality in the country. Its barely 79 inhabitants do everything in their power to keep cybercriminals out. And with success. Through commercials on TV and online, videos on social media, banners, etc., the campaign aims to make it clear that we can all do as well as the residents of Herstappe.
As DNS Belgium's mission is to keep the internet safe in Belgium, we support this campaign.