The One Habit That Stops Most Attacks

October is Cybersecurity Month, a time to reflect on protection. Additionally, all month, we’re sharing practical steps any business can take to stay safer online for everyone. No jargon, no expensive tools. Just steps you can take this week to improve daily safety.

We’re starting with the one that stops more attacks than anything else on the list: turn on two-step login everywhere you can.

How most break-ins really happen

Most businesses picture a hacker breaking through a firewall. In reality, most attackers just log in. They get a password from a fake login page, a phishing email, or a breach at some other website. Then they try it on your email, your bank, and your work systems.

If the password works, they’re in. Nobody had to “hack” anything.

What two-step login does

Two-step login (also called multi-factor authentication, or MFA) adds a second check after your password. Usually that’s a code or a tap on an app on your phone.

That changes everything. A stolen password on its own is now useless. The attacker would also need your phone. That one setting blocks the large majority of account break-ins.

Indeed, Cybersecurity Month adds a few extra seconds. It’s the best few seconds you’ll spend all day.

Where to turn it on first

1. Email. Your email can reset every other password you have, so protect it first.
2. Banking and payroll. Anywhere money moves.
3. Work accounts. Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, your accounting software, your CRM, and file sharing.
4. Remote access. Anything your team uses to log in from home.

A few tips that make it stronger

• Use an authenticator app (like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator) instead of text-message codes when you can. Text codes are better than nothing, but apps are harder to steal.
• Never approve a login prompt you didn’t start. If your phone asks “Is this you?” and it isn’t, tap No and change your password. Someone already has it.
• Make it the rule for everyone. One account without two-step login is all an attacker needs.

What’s coming this month

Throughout Cybersecurity Month, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October we’ll share another simple step: how to spot a phishing email, the password habit worth changing, how to check if your email is in a breach, and more.

Want to know if two-step login is on for everyone at your company? We can check. Learn more about the basics that protect your business.