Do you use two-factor authentications? Read latest on LinkedIn breach.

Two-factor authentications are becoming mandatory for both businesses and personal accounts. Take the test to see if your company uses two-factor authentication.

What does two-factor authentication mean?

Two-factors  of authentication (2FA) means using two methods of verifying a user to allow them to log into a site. Using a password which is something you know, and a physical verification method such as the numbers generated by a Key fob/physical token or a card reader. The second factor can also be code generated automatically by the site you are trying to log into and sent to your phones.  Lately, many sites recommend or require 2FA. Two-factor authentications are a better way to assure the security of your personal information.

Why two-factors of authentication for LinkedIn login?

LinkedIn reported a massive breach in 2012 in which millions of credentials were stolen and posted up for sale by a Russian hacker.  Now, reports says it is more like 117 million credentials.  Could yours be one of them?

The hacker has confirmed the login information from 4 years ago is being sold on the ‘Dark Web’ market.  “Since the passwords have been initially encrypted with the SHA1 algorithm, with “no salt,” it just took ‘LeakedSource‘, the paid search engine for hacked data, 72 hours to crack roughly 90% of the passwords.”

The ugly truth is LinkedIn never revealed the extent of the breach. According to LinkedIn, the matter is being investigated. Premium account holders filed a lawsuit in 2012 over the security breach and will be paid basically $1.25 million total or $50 a member. So, should you change your passwords if they have not been done so in a long time? Absolutely, especially if the LinkedIn password has been used in other places.

For more on the LinkedIn breach update, read the story on the online Time magazine.