Two-Factor Authentication

Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the FBI is sharing ways Americans can protect themselves against cyber threats.

I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau, with FBI, This Week.

E-mail accounts are frequently tied to banking information, social media accounts, and other online services. If your e-mail account password is compromised, then chances are increased that the same will happen to your other online accounts.

Erich Anderson: They are at risk for embarrassment, identity theft, financial fraud…

Halpern: That was Supervisory IT Specialist for the FBI’s Security Division Erich Anderson, who says enabling Two-Factor Authentication, or TFA, adds an extra layer of security between you and your online accounts and the cyber criminal.

Anderson: All you have to do is go into your settings and have the service send you a one-time code. That one-time code can be sent to your text on your phone or another e-mail account.

Halpern: That code is given only to you. TFA is easy to enable and is also a free service. For more cyber tips over the month of October, visit www.fbi.gov.

Related information:

-Story: National Cyber Security Awareness Month
-Blog: Protect Yourself with Two-Factor Authentication