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What does MFA fatigue look like? Your phone buzzes again and again. Login request after login request—until you finally approve one to stop it. That’s precisely the mistake hackers want you to make.
This tactic is known as MFA fatigue, an increasingly common threat method that attackers use to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) without ever needing to steal your second factor. Around 400K MFA fatigue attacks occur every year. How does this threat work, and what can you do to stay safe?
How Does MFA Fatigue Happen?
Hackers don’t need to crack your MFA; they need you to get tired of it. First, they acquire your credentials from a data breach or the Dark Web. Then, they start spamming your device with push notifications, hoping that you mistake it for a harmless glitch, but in reality, it’s a threat actor trying to log in repeatedly.
So why do people fall for these scams? Maybe it’s late at night. Perhaps you’re busy. You might tap “Approve” to silence the flood of alerts. Whatever the reason, an MFA fatigue attack only takes one slip-up to succeed.
Therefore, it’s essential to practice vigilance and caution. Never approve a login to “make it go away,” because it is a giant red flag that someone is trying to gain unauthorized access to your accounts!
What Happens After MFA Fatigue
Why do these attacks work so effectively? Because once an attacker gains access, they move fast and can:
- Steal data and lock you out of your accounts.
- Reset MFA settings so they can log in freely.
- Use your access to launch further attacks, such as tricking coworkers into approving their requests.
Attackers’ speed and efficiency make MFA fatigue a perilous threat. An initial breach can quickly escalate into a full-blown security crisis, affecting the individual and potentially an entire organization.
Real-World Implications of MFA Fatigue
Consider this scenario: You’re a manager at a mid-sized company. It’s 11 PM, and you’re about to go to bed when your phone buzzes incessantly. You’re tired, and without thinking, you approve the login request. The next morning, you discover that sensitive company data has been stolen, and your account has been used to send phishing emails to your colleagues. The fallout is immediate and severe: Clients no longer trust you to secure their private data, and the company faces significant financial and reputational damage.
How can you avoid falling victim to MFA fatigue attacks?
Never approve an MFA request you didn’t expect. If one pops up out of nowhere, assume it’s an attack. This simple rule can prevent many unauthorized access attempts.
Use number-matching MFA instead of simple push approvals. This method forces you to enter a code, making attacks much harder. Number-matching adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to participate actively in the authentication process.
If you are bombarded with requests, report them immediately. Your account might already be compromised. Quick reporting can help mitigate the damage and alert your IT department to take necessary action.
Educate and train employees. Regular training sessions on cybersecurity best practices can help employees recognize and respond appropriately to MFA fatigue attacks. Awareness is a crucial first step in defense.
Implement additional security measures. Consider using biometric authentication or authentication apps, because these methods are considered the most secure form of multi-factor authentication, and are less susceptible to MFA fatigue attacks.
Multi-factor authentication is meant to keep hackers out, but it only works if you stay in control. Don’t let bad actors wear you down. By understanding the tactics used in MFA fatigue attacks and implementing robust security measures, you can protect yourself and your organization from this growing threat.
Remember, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and staying vigilant is key to maintaining a secure digital environment.
Commonwealth Sentinel can assist your organization in staying secure by implementing robust password policies, utilizing practical multi-factor authentication tools, and providing comprehensive cyber training for your entire staff. It only takes one lucky cyber criminal to cause damage, so your team must always remain vigilant. To schedule a consultation, click here or contact us at (502) 320-9885.
At Commonwealth Sentinel, we are focused on cyber security so that you can focus on other things.