Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023

Week 1

Invasion of the DATA snatchers

Invasion of the Data Snatchers!

– Don’t let them snatch your identity. Enable multi-factor authentication. 

Multi-Factor Authentication 

Expand the sections below to learn about Multi-Factor Authentication.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that provides an additional layer of protection by verifying digital users through at least two authentication factors. There are three common types of authentication factors:  

  • Something you know:  This refers to information known only to the user. For example: unique passwords, security questions, PIN codes.
  • Something you have:  This refers to something that the user owns. For example: a smartphone or a security token.
  • Something you are:  This factor refers to something that is exclusive to the user. For example: biometrics (e.g. fingerprint, facial scan).

Multi-factor authentication is the most effective way to protect your accounts. With multi-factor authentication, even if a password is compromised, a malicious actor would have to obtain an additional piece of information to gain access. When offered to “enable” or “turn on” MFA on your personal accounts such as Facebook, Amazon or Google, we strongly encourage you to do so. 

At LSU, MFA is offered for all applications behind Microsoft authentication such as Workday, LSU email, Teams, Box, and Zoom.

All users will need to configure two methods for MFA: one as a primary method and a secondary method to be used as a backup. It is recommended that MFA be configured on different devices to ensure that you do not lose access in the event that a device and/or phone number change.   

While multi-factor authentication is one of the best ways to secure your accounts, there have been instances where cybercriminals have gotten around multi-factor authentication. However, these situations typically involve a hacker seeking multi-factor authentication approval to access an account multiple times and the owner approving the log-in, either due to confusion or annoyance.

Therefore, if you are receiving multi-factor authentication log-in requests and you aren’t trying to log in, do not approve the requests! Instead, contact the service or platform right away.

If it is an LSU account, contact the Service Desk at 225-578-3375 or by email at servicedesk@lsu.edu.

Change your password for the account ASAP. Also, if you reuse that password, change it for any other account that uses it (this is why every password should be unique). 

Don’t let this deter you, though. Multi-factor authentication is typically very safe, and it is one of the best ways you can bolster the security of your data! 

Test your knowledge, get coordinates, scan codes, and be entered to win a prize*.

Ready to play? Take this week’s quiz!

*All are encouraged to play, but only students are eligible to win prizes.