How many times this week did you use your face to unlock your phone? Your fingerprint to access your bank account? A scan of your iris to start your car? With password hacking becoming a common occurrence, many are turning to one form of biometrics or another to add an extra layer of protection to their devices & logins. However, there’s a common misconception that two-factor authentication methods like Touch ID or Face ID, eliminates the need for traditional passwords. Two-factor authentication relies on a user providing a password as the first factor and a second, different factor -- usually either a security token or a biometric factor. And while biometrics can log you into many apps, it’s important to know that the biometric is simply entering your saved password into the app’s login screen. If a cybercriminal wants to hack into your life, they’ll attempt to remotely log into the target device or website using your weak password. So, while biometrics are difficult to hack, you can typically bypass biometric authentication by using a password. Even if you always use a biometric for convenience, your password still matters, because if someone wants to access your device or account, a password is still an alternative way in. Remember… weak passwords can leave you vulnerable to identity theft, so it’s important that all your accounts, including those that use biometrics, be protected by a strong and unique password. Never sacrifice security for convenience.
