Two-Factor Toucan Explains Why It’s Important to Take Two Steps to Sign In

Cybersecurity awareness month is here, and we’re running a fun campaign for everyone following us. In this four-part series, we enlist the help of four tech-savvy characters eager to dispense important security tips while surfing the web. This week, we give a warm welcome to Two-Factor Toucan.

Internet users have on average eight online platform accounts, according to a survey commissioned by Bitdefender. The most-used platforms are Facebook, WhatsApp, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

However, not every individual uses all these platforms together. For example, Facebook and WhatsApp are mostly used by those who are 25 or older. Gmail is more popular after 35, while YouTube and Instagram are popular up to 34. Rather predictably, TikTok and Snapchat have the most users in the 18-24 range.

So there’s still plenty of room in everyone’s portfolio to make up a total of eight online platforms. After all, not every online platform is a social network or a video streaming service. We also have online accounts to pay the bills, register for doctor’s appointments, buy plane tickets, book a vacation, and so on.

So, online platforms vary greatly in terms of what they offer and who uses them. But they all have one thing in common -- they require a username and password to log in. In recent years, however, a surge in cyber incidents has prompted Internet companies to enable multi-step authentication for their websites. Also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA), the mechanism ensures in the legitimate user is logging in, and not someone else.

This week, Two-Factor Toucan is here to explain why it’s wise to use 2FA for every one of our online platform accounts.

Living high in the tropical tree tops gives me a bird’s eye view [wink] of the world. It’s useful for making informed decisions. And making informed decisions is wise. You should use wisdom in any and every activity you engage in, especially surfing the web.

If a platform offers the option to authenticate your login with a secondary factor – SMS, email, a dedicated authenticator app – be sure to use it. Especially with your banking account.

Why? Well, it’s simple. If your password gets stolen in a data breach, cyber-crooks won’t be able to steal your account if you have 2FA enabled. That’s because they won’t have access to your one-time passcode. Only you will.

So, protect all your online accounts with two-factor authentication. Regardless of platform, you’ll typically find 2FA in your account’s security settings. Stay on top of your security. Just like I stay on top of the dangers lurking on the forest floor.

Two-Factor Toucan is right. 2FA exists for a reason, and almost every website today offers it. In fact, word has it that Google is making 2FA default for 150 million users and is giving away 10,000 security keys to ‘high-risk’ users – a pretty good indication of the importance of multi-factor authentication these days.

We thank Two-Factor Toucan for reaching out to our readers with these words of wisdom. If you like him as much as we do, head over to Bitdefender’s Instagram page and use the effects button to virtually stamp this tropical avian character on your T-Shirt.

But don’t run off just yet!

Just in time for #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth, we’ve extended the free trial for Bitdefender Total Security from 30 days to 90. Download the package and experience best-in-class protection for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices for three full months, completely free of charge!

Stay safe!