Reverend Conehead
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Two-factor authentication is a useful tool for thwarting scammers. Many of you probably use it. If you aren't familiar with it, it's where the company (such as a bank, a security company, etc.) requires a code sent to you (often via text to your phone), and that code is required in addition to your login and password. Thus, even if a criminal somehow got your user name and password to your bank, they could not get in. However, I wrote in another post of another problem that has come up. Criminals will hack someone's phone service by tricking their service provider into sending them a new SIM or an E-SIM. Basically, they do what you would have done if your phone were lost, stolen or broken. You would get a new SIM to transfer your service to your new phone. So the crook pretends to be you, gets the SIM, and then suddenly they get all your calls and texts, and you're shut out. It's slimy and crooked, and this scumbags belong in prison.
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I've recently found out about 2-factor authentication apps for Android and iOS. If you're getting that 2-factor code via an app, the crook can't get the code via the usual SMS text. I'm thinking of doing that. Plus, I've been needing to find a way to get my 2-factor code if I'm in Switzerland visiting family. The app would work there if I'm on wifi or if I get data from a phone service there. Of course, you would have to make sure and use a really good password, or biometrics, with the app. Otherwise, if the criminal figured out you're using that particular app, they could try to hack in via brute-force password cracking. However, a high-level password won't be cracked. You can always check if your password is hack resistant from the online Kaspersky Password Checker.
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Another option for 2-factor is a keyfob. You can put the little device on a keychain, and it gives you codes throughout the day, regularly changing them like every 10 minutes or something. The company, like the bank or whoever, would need a corresponding device so that only you and the bank has the code. That's probably even more secure than the 2-factor app, but I'm not sure if it would work in Switzerland or some other country.
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The bottom line is, a 2-factor app or a keyfob makes it so the criminals can't get into your bank account (or other company account) even if they successfully SIM-swap/hijack your phone number. You would still have the hassle of your phone suddenly not working, but at least you just have to get that corrected. At least they're not able to steal money from your bank account or do other crooked things.
...
I've recently found out about 2-factor authentication apps for Android and iOS. If you're getting that 2-factor code via an app, the crook can't get the code via the usual SMS text. I'm thinking of doing that. Plus, I've been needing to find a way to get my 2-factor code if I'm in Switzerland visiting family. The app would work there if I'm on wifi or if I get data from a phone service there. Of course, you would have to make sure and use a really good password, or biometrics, with the app. Otherwise, if the criminal figured out you're using that particular app, they could try to hack in via brute-force password cracking. However, a high-level password won't be cracked. You can always check if your password is hack resistant from the online Kaspersky Password Checker.
...
Another option for 2-factor is a keyfob. You can put the little device on a keychain, and it gives you codes throughout the day, regularly changing them like every 10 minutes or something. The company, like the bank or whoever, would need a corresponding device so that only you and the bank has the code. That's probably even more secure than the 2-factor app, but I'm not sure if it would work in Switzerland or some other country.
...
The bottom line is, a 2-factor app or a keyfob makes it so the criminals can't get into your bank account (or other company account) even if they successfully SIM-swap/hijack your phone number. You would still have the hassle of your phone suddenly not working, but at least you just have to get that corrected. At least they're not able to steal money from your bank account or do other crooked things.