Can 2FA Stop Hackers?

Yes, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can stop hackers from accessing your accounts, but it’s not entirely foolproof and some forms of 2FA are stronger than others. 2FA is a type of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) that requires two authentication factors. With 2FA, you will need your username, password and another authentication method before you can access an online account. Enabling 2FA on your accounts will provide you with an extra layer of security and protect you if your password is ever compromised.

Keep reading to learn how 2FA can stop hackers, how hackers can bypass 2FA and 2FA best practices to prevent your accounts from being compromised.

How 2FA can stop hackers

2FA can protect you against cyber threats by adding an additional layer of security to stop them from compromising your accounts. When you enable 2FA, hackers will be unable to access your accounts even if they have your username and password. One of the main types of MFA you can use as 2FA is a 2FA code, which can be a Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) or an SMS-based One-Time Password (OTP). Since 2FA codes are typically sent to you through your phone, a hacker will be unable to use the code to authenticate your identity as they attempt to log in to your accounts. 2FA codes can be conveniently generated by authenticator apps or sent through text messages, but it’s important to know that some 2FA methods are more secure than others.

Can hackers bypass 2FA?

Despite 2FA being a very secure method of authentication, there are a few ways hackers can cleverly bypass it, including through phishing attacks, SIM swapping and spoofed websites.

Phishing attacks

A phishing attack occurs when a hacker tricks you into sending private information, such as your passwords or credit card numbers, by impersonating someone you know or trust. Hackers create phishing messages to persuade you to send them sensitive information, including 2FA codes, to gain access to your accounts. For example, you may receive an email from a social media platform alerting you that someone has tried to log in to your account. The message may ask you to reply with a numerical code if you did not make the login attempt, but by sending your 2FA code, you are giving a hacker access to your account instead.

SIM swapping

SIM swapping occurs when a hacker impersonates you to convince your mobile carrier to activate a new SIM card. Although most SIM swapping attacks are committed to steal your identity, some hackers commit them to steal SMS-based authentication codes, gain access to your accounts and sell your data on the dark web. A hacker gathers as much information as they can about you, which helps them deceive your mobile carrier into activating a new SIM card. They usually claim that you lost your phone or got it stolen, and your mobile carrier will most likely activate a new SIM card. Once they have a new SIM card and insert it into their device, they will receive your text messages and phone calls, which means your 2FA codes will also be sent to them. This is why using 2FA methods through text message is considered one of the weakest forms of MFA, in the event that a hacker impersonates you or gains access to your phone.

Spoofed websites

Have you ever clicked on a website that wasn’t exactly what it was advertised to be? A spoofed website is one created by a hacker with the goal of looking legitimate enough to trick you into entering your sensitive information or unknowingly downloading malware. If you click on a malicious link that takes you to a spoofed website, you may enter your 2FA code, which hackers could use to compromise your online account. Although it may be challenging to tell the difference between a real and a spoofed website, you can spot a phishing website by checking the safety of the URL, looking closely at the website’s content and reading online reviews.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks

As the name implies, a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack occurs when a hacker intercepts data sent between two individuals or businesses to steal or alter it with malicious intent. MITM attacks generally happen on public WiFi; since public networks are usually unsecured, anyone could be monitoring or intercepting your data when you connect. Imagine you’re going on vacation and need to receive a 2FA code while connected to airport WiFi before you board your flight. A hacker could intercept your data, see your 2FA code and use it to gain access to your account and endanger your privacy.

Open Authorization (OAuth) consent phishing

Open Authorization (OAuth) is a protocol that gives you permission to grant third-party apps access to your data without sharing your passwords. Think of the times that you’ve used an app, and instead of creating an account to log in, the app asks if you want to log in using your Google or Facebook account. By allowing this app access to your accounts, you reduce the number of times you need to sign in to another app. Although this is convenient, OAuth can give hackers access to your data and accounts through consent phishing, which happens when a hacker makes a fake page that resembles a legitimate OAuth screen. When you grant permission to an app on a spoofed OAuth page, you unknowingly give a hacker access to your data, allowing them to bypass a typical 2FA security measure.

2FA best practices to prevent account compromise

Several 2FA best practices to stop your accounts from being compromised by hackers include using secure 2FA methods, refraining from clicking on suspicious links and avoiding public WiFi while logging in to accounts.

Use secure 2FA methods

While enabling 2FA is generally a great way to enhance your security, it’s important to use secure 2FA methods, such as an authenticator app, to generate 2FA codes. An authenticator app creates codes locally on your device to use with your login credentials to access your online accounts. After a certain period of time, codes from authenticator apps will refresh as new ones, ensuring that no one can steal your 2FA code. Using an authenticator app is much safer than receiving SMS-based 2FA codes because your phone could always become lost or stolen, and text messages are unencrypted, making them easier to intercept in MITM attacks and SIM swapping. Keeper^® has a built-in 2FA feature in its password manager that allows you to generate a 2FA code and save it securely to its associated record.

Other kinds of 2FA methods include passkeys, biometrics and hardware security keys. A passkey is a passwordless authentication method that replaces a traditional password. For example, you may have set up a passkey if you unlock any of your apps with Face ID or fingerprint. These passkeys are also types of biometrics, which use your unique physical or behavioral characteristics to identify you and give you access to your accounts. Instead of something you are, a hardware security key is something you physically have as a 2FA method that you insert or tap to confirm your identity. These additional 2FA methods are much more secure than an SMS-based 2FA code because they cannot get intercepted by hackers.

Never share your 2FA codes

If you receive any email or text message from a company asking for your 2FA code, it is a sign of a hacker attempting to steal your information. Most legitimate companies will never ask for your 2FA code, so if you receive any message asking for it, you are most likely the target of a phishing scam. Examine the message closely by checking the sender’s phone number or email address; if it doesn’t match the official phone number or domain of the legitimate company, it is a hacker. You should also evaluate whether the message uses urgent or threatening language because only hackers will try to scare you into sharing private information, like your 2FA code.

Never click suspicious links

You should never click on a suspicious link, especially in an unsolicited email or text message, because it will likely be a spoofed website. Do not risk clicking on an unsafe link because you could trigger a malware infection on your device or accidentally share private information with a hacker. Instead of clicking on a suspicious link, you should check if the link is safe by using a URL checker or hovering your mouse over the link if you’re using a computer.

Avoid logging in to accounts on public WiFi

Since anyone could be monitoring or intercepting data on public WiFi, it’s important not to connect to public WiFi when logging in to any of your online accounts. Public WiFi is unsecured, so your data could be stolen by a hacker if they gain control of a public network. It’s much safer to log in to your accounts when connected to a private WiFi network or VPN.

Lock your SIM

In some cases, the only option you’ll have for a 2FA method is SMS-based authentication, so it’s essential to lock your SIM to prevent a hacker from SIM swapping. Locking your SIM will protect your accounts from being compromised in a SIM swapping attack because a hacker will be unable to swap your SIM card to their device.

To lock your SIM on your iPhone, go to Settings, Cellular and SIM PIN. Toggle the button next to SIM PIN to enable it. You’ll need to enter your mobile carrier’s default PIN, which is typically “1111.” However, check with your mobile carrier before entering the default PIN because guessing incorrectly can lead to you getting locked out. Once you’ve enabled your SIM PIN, tap Change PIN to enter a custom PIN that you will remember.

To lock your SIM on your Android, visit Settings, Security & Privacy, More security settings and SIM card lock. Toggle the button next to Lock SIM card to enable it, then enter your mobile carrier’s default PIN. Remember, most default PINs are “1111,” but check with your mobile carrier before entering any PIN. After you’ve enabled your SIM PIN, select Change SIM PIN to enter a custom PIN.

Use secure 2FA methods to protect your accounts

2FA is an important security measure that adds another layer of security to your online accounts. With Keeper Password Manager, you can conveniently add 2FA codes for each of your accounts and save them securely in your digital vault.

Start your free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager to protect your accounts from hackers by storing strong passwords and generating 2FA codes with ease.