80% of hacks can be prevented with two-step verification. To keep criminals out, we are launching a new campaign to promote two-step verification.
In October, European Cybersecurity Month, the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB), Febelfin and the Cyber Security Coalition are jointly launching an awareness campaign to encourage internet users to strongly secure accounts with two-step verification or Two Factor Authentication (2FA).
Do as Herstappe and use two-step verification
Last year, the hacking of several cities and municipalities received extensive press coverage. Personal accounts of some mayors and celebrities were not spared either. With regularity, passwords are stolen and shared on the internet.
"With our campaign, we have one goal. Getting all Belgians to use two-step verification! That's our big ambition. But we are starting small. Literally. We are starting in the smallest municipality in Belgium, which is Herstappe. The Safeonweb team went down to Herstappe and informed and helped residents there with 2FA," says Miguel De Bruycker, director general of the CCB.
"Herstappe is currently the most digitally secure municipality in our country, but we hope they will soon be followed by others. We now call on all cities and municipalities, as well as businesses, organisations and schools, to follow Herstappe's lead. Use two-step verification and keep hackers out," stressed Phédra Clouner, Deputy Director-General of the CCB.
3 tips to keep hackers out
"Every day, at least one company in our country falls victim to a cyber-attack with serious consequences. The common thread in many serious cyber incidents is the lack of two-step verification. As much as 80% could have been prevented if 2FA was used. We kindly but also urgently ask businesses today: activate two-step verification everywhere now. It is my conviction that with this simple reflex we can increase cyber security in Belgium quite a bit more." Miguel De Bruycker, director general of the CCB.
- Tip 1: Start with your email.
- Tip 2: Then activate it on the websites where you also leave your sensitive data: webshops, booking websites, websites where you book tickets,...
- Tip 3: Don't forget your social media accounts.
Make it a habit to use it everywhere you can.
Hackers' nightmare? Two-step verification
Two-step verification or 2FA is a simple solution to protect your data even better.
To gain access to your account, you have to prove that you are who you claim to be. This can be done on three different face:
- with something only you know (your password or PIN);
- with something you alone have (your phone or token);
- with something that is you (your fingerprint, face, iris...).
Usually you use one of these factors to prove who you are, but it is better to use 2 or more factors: this is two- or multi-step authentication (2FA or MFA). You then use e.g. a password and on top of that you also have a code sent to your mobile phone, or you use your fingerprint and a code to gain access.
"Nothing is more frustrating as a hacker to find after the euphoria of cracking a password that the target has 2FA installed" - Inti De Ceukelaire, Ethical Hacker
Support the campaign
Convinced to use two-step verification? Great! Share this awareness campaign with your friends, family and colleagues. That way, you'll inspire others to do the same. Together, we will make Belgium one of the least vulnerable countries in Europe in terms of cybersecurity.
