Passwords. Don’t you just love them? Let’s face it, most of us don’t put much thought into making them complex enough – we just do the bare minimum and include the obligatory upper-case letter, number, and symbol, simply because we can’t get any further without them.
That’s just fine by cybercriminals. Our apathy is their key to getting into our affairs where they can get stuck in to do their worst. Their super-duper password cracker software runs at hyper speed through thousands of passwords a minute, trying different combinations until it hits multiple jackpots. It’s efficient and ruthless; weak passwords will be decoded in no time.
You can see why we’re always encouraged to use more secure passwords or even get organized and set up with a password manager solution…
Two-factor authentication: what is it and why do we need it?
When it comes to businesses, keeping cybercriminals out of networks and data is an absolute must – not only to protect sensitive data but also to help prevent ransomware attacks.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a great way to do this. Instead of relying on the traditional login and password authentication, 2FA asks users for this plus another, separate form of identification information, such as entering a text code sent to your phone, submitting a personal biometric scan, or typing a short phrase (typing biometrics).
Essentially, it’s like installing a security fence with a strictly controlled entrance around your network; it ensures that access is granted only to those with the correct gate code and the keys to the front door.
2FA in NetSupport Manager v14
NetSupport Manager is already well known for its superb security features and, in version 14, we’ve added 2FA to take things to the next level. IT teams can configure it across their networks as they wish, either for all or selected users. NetSupport Manager’s 2FA uses time-based OTP (TOTP) or DUO Push to authenticate users for up to 12 hours – as well as supporting businesses choosing to use RADIUS authentication across their networks.
Once configured, 2FA provides your business with the extra confidence that your systems will be secured against unauthorized connections, plus it gives your IT team more control over the type of access required for the different areas of your network. What’s not to like?
To discover how NetSupport Manager v14 can have an impact on your business, learn more here.