Across the Enterprise

You’ve heard it before: Phishing is the #1 method used by cybercriminals to gain access to your digital valuables. Today, according to CSO Online, 80% of reported security incidents are caused by Phishing.

We’ve also heard from CISA and others that MFA is the holy grail for cybersecurity. But then last week, we talked about Hacking MFA. … If it’s not Phishing-Resistant, the MFA will remain relatively easy to Hack.


So How DO we ‘Phish-Proof’ Login Across the Enterprise?

To make a login truly phish-proof, we must eliminate (or render useless) the vulnerabilities that phishing attacks exploit.


90% of internet breaches are due to stolen login credentials via Phishing.

As many have so rightly put it, “they’re not breaking in, they’re logging in.” Because what they’re likely phishing for are your credentials, like your Passwords or an OTP (one-time password) and they rely on social engineering to trick users into giving them up.  Passwords, in other words, are the Bait!

Here’s How We Phish-Proof

1. Eliminate Passwords

  • Why It’s Effective: Passwords are the most targeted element in phishing attacks. Removing them from the authentication process removes the bait for attackers.
  • How It Works: Passwordless authentication methods use unique, hard-to-phish factors such as biometrics (fingerprints, face recognition) or device-based authentication.

2. Use Strong Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • Why It’s Effective: MFA ensures that even if one factor is compromised, the attacker cannot gain access without the others.
  • ‘Phish-Proof MFA’: Use factors that cannot be intercepted or replicated, such as:
    • Device-bound keys: Cryptographic keys stored securely on the user’s device.
    • Biometric authentication: Unique physical traits that attackers cannot steal.

3. Eliminate Shared Secrets

  • Why It’s Effective: Phishing often tricks users into revealing shared secrets (e.g., passwords, PINs, or OTPs).
  • How It Works: Phish-proof systems replace shared secrets with cryptographic methods, where private keys are stored locally and never transmitted.

4. Use Public Key Cryptography

  • Why It’s Effective: Public-private key pairs ensure that only authorized devices can complete the login process.
  • How It Works: The user’s private key remains securely stored on their device, while the server validates the login with the corresponding public key. This process is invisible to users and attackers alike.

5. Protect Against Social Engineering

  • Why It’s Effective: Attackers rely on tricking users into making mistakes.
  • How It Works: Authentication solutions like push notifications or biometric verification ensure users never manually enter sensitive information, minimizing opportunities for attackers to deceive them.

6. Integrate with Secure, Modern Standards

  • Why It’s Effective: Outdated protocols, like SMS-based OTPs, are vulnerable to interception and spoofing.
  • How It Works: Phish-proof systems use protocols such as:
    • WebAuthn: Enables passwordless, phishing-resistant authentication via devices.
    • FIDO2 or other standards that enhance security by leveraging cryptography and local authentication.

7. User-Friendly and Foolproof Design

  • Why It’s Effective: Complex or confusing authentication systems increase the likelihood of user error.
  • How It Works: Phish-proof login solutions are intuitive and prevent users from entering credentials on malicious sites, often by automating the login process or restricting it to trusted devices.

8. Secure Device Binding

  • Why It’s Effective: Device binding ensures that only registered devices can be used for login.
  • How It Works: Authentication is tied to specific devices, meaning attackers cannot log in from unauthorized hardware.

Conclusion

A truly phish-proof login is passwordless, uses strong cryptographic principles, integrates phishing-resistant MFA, and eliminates opportunities for attackers to trick users into revealing sensitive information. Solutions like TraitWare, which combine passwordless authentication with secure, user-friendly processes, exemplify this approach.

For more information on how you can deploy Virtually Phish-Proof MFA+SSO for your enterprise, reach out to us, book a demo, and start your free trial today!

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