EA Forums Online Security Newsletter - Volume 3/ 2026

Two-factor authentication (2FA/MFA) prevents unauthorized access by requiring a second form of verification (e.g., SMS code, app token) when passwords are stolen or cracked. It effectively stops automated bot attacks, 99% of bulk phishing, and 66% of targeted attacks, neutralizing stolen credentials in most scenarios. 

Key situations where 2FA would have prevented an attack include:

• Credential Stuffing Attacks: Hackers use stolen passwords from one breach to enter other accounts (e.g., banking). 2FA renders these stolen passwords useless.
• Phishing and Social Engineering: Even if a user enters their password into a fake website, hackers cannot log in without the second factor.
• Brute-Force Attacks: Automated scripts that guess passwords fail because they cannot guess the rotating second-factor code (TOTP) from an authenticator app.
• VPN/Remote Access Compromise: Attackers obtaining corporate credentials cannot access VPNs, preventing ransomware entry.
• Session Hijacking/Active Exploits: 2FA tokens change rapidly, ensuring a stolen, expired password cannot be reused.