You do not need 2-factor authentication.

2-factor authentication helps improve your security and reduces your chance of becoming an identity theft victim. I have already written here why you should deploy 2-factor authentication. In this post, I shall play the Devil’s Advocate. Don’t do it.

What happens if you don’t do it?

2-factor authentication increases your security at no additional cost.

Allen does not see things the same way network consultants do. He decides that since he has been running his business without 2-factor authentication for 20 years, he does not need it now. He thinks it is a scheme for computer guys to make life more complex and generate more billable work. Sad but true, that is what Allen thinks.

One day, Allen opens his Gmail and sees order confirmations for TVs, DVRs and other consumer items. They were all shipped to an address in Moscow. Most came from Amazon. He stands up and yells, “Hey, somebody hacked my accounts. Not only did they get my e-mail, but they also got into my Amazon.com and Buy.com. I had a good password of abcdeABCDE. How did this happen?”

It happened because Allen used one password at several sites. He now has the inconvenient task of notifying his vendors to cancel the orders. He also has to set new passwords at every site where he was using abcdeABCDE as the password. He rethinks the 2-factor authentication idea his friend recommended last week. Maybe network consultants do have good ideas. Hmmmmm.

Why bother?

2-factor authentication increases your security and protects you from a password thief. Someone can steal or guess your password but still be unable to login to your Gmail. I use Gmail as an example here, but I’ve seen several services deploy this. Learn how to use 2-factor authentication. It increases your security at no additional cost.

The Wikipedia administrators learned this the hard way. They report, “It is really important for users with advanced rights to keep their account secure. In November 2016, a number of Wikipedia administrators (including the founder, Jimbo Wales) had their accounts compromised, which were then used to vandalise (sic) the encyclopedia. As well as causing widespread disruption, the affected administrators’ accounts were locked so they couldn’t do anything until it was beyond doubt they had regained control.”

If you need help, see http://cameronparkcomputer.com/2-factor-authentication/ or give us a call at (530) 677-8864.