How to Spot Malicious Two-Factor Authentication Requests
With hackers looking for any way to gain access to your personal data using all sorts of phishing schemes , it is vital that you take every precaution to protect your data. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one way to improve account security, but it must be used correctly , and even then, you should be wary of malicious prompts that provide attackers with the codes needed to easily log in.
Two-factor authentication may be compromised
First, let’s remember that two-factor and multi-factor authentication are not always equivalent. 2FA uses exactly two factors to confirm a username, and both may be known to the user, such as a password plus a PIN code or SMS code. Multi-factor authentication, in turn, requires at least two independent factors, such as a password (knowledge factor) plus a biometric identifier (identification factor) or a one-time password with a limited validity period (possession factor) from an authenticator app.
Knowledge factors (and some ownership factors) are fairly easy to phish, so 2FA codes sent via SMS are the worst authentication option, especially if you have alternatives. Attackers may also try to trick you into using fake 2FA prompts.
How to recognize malicious 2FA requests
One way hackers get around two-factor authentication is by pestering you with repeated authentication requests. This tactic is known as message bombing . You might get dozens or even hundreds of push notifications on your phone in a short period of time or late at night when you’re not likely to be thinking clearly. The attackers are counting on the fact that if you get angry enough, you’ll eventually approve one of them. Don’t do it. If you get a two-factor authentication request without trying to log into one of your accounts, that’s an immediate red flag.
Another sign of a malicious request is if the login attempt is coming from an unfamiliar device or region — for example, a Google notification for a Windows computer if you’re a Mac user, or from an entirely different country. You should also be wary of pop-ups asking for permissions unrelated to the app or service itself, such as permission to access all the contacts on your device.
Hackers may also contact you by phone, text, or email to request two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. Phone numbers and email addresses are easy to spoof , so don’t trust the caller ID or sender, even if it looks legitimate. Companies won’t call without permission to ask for a password or authentication code, so hang up or ignore these messages.
Bottom Line: If you receive suspicious two-factor authentication (2FA) requests via push notifications, SMS, or other means, ignore them and change the password for the account in question by going directly to the site or app rather than through the request itself, as this could lead you to a phishing site that could further compromise your data. If you do accidentally click on malicious requests, look for signs of a scam, such as hidden or similar characters in web addresses, or spelling or grammar errors.