What is Phishing-Resistant MFA?
Tags: blog, industry
Published: 2023-11-17 05:42:34

---
title: What is Phishing-Resistant MFA?
published: true
date: 2023-11-16 18:50:54 UTC
tags: Blog,Industry
canonical_url: https://www.datawiza.com/blog/industry/what-is-phishing-resistant-mfa/
---

Digital security is of paramount importance in today’s interconnected world. As the threat landscape evolves, organizations and individuals alike need to bolster their defense against cyber threats. One way to enhance digital safety involves the implementation of phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

But what exactly is phishing-resistant MFA? We’re here to demystify this piece of cybersecurity technology, starting with a quick overview of Multi-Factor Authentication.

## Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Simply put, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security protocol that requires users to verify their identity using two or more independent credentials before they gain access to their accounts. These credentials usually fall into one of these three categories:

1. Something you know: This includes pieces of information like a password, PIN, or a security question.
2. Something you have: A physical object like a smartphone, hardware token, or smart card.
3. Something you are: Biometric evidence such as fingerprint scans or facial recognition.

The premise of MFA is that breaching several layers of authentication is exponentially more challenging for a potential attacker than just one, rendering your digital assets much safer.

## Phishing Attacks and Their Impact

Phishing is a prevalent type of cyber-attack wherein the attacker poses as a legitimate institution to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or PIN numbers. Often via email, the attacker lures the victim into clicking on a harmful link and divulging personal details on a counterfeit webpage.

Although phishing relies on human error and deception, it is troublingly successful in breaching defenses, even those with MFA in place. This is due to the vulnerability of many second-factor authentication methods, like one-time passwords (OTP), to interception and manipulation.

## Here Comes Phishing-Resistant MFA

Phishing-resistant MFA steps in to provide a robust solution to the vulnerabilities present in other MFA methods. Unlike OTP-based MFA, which is often susceptible to interception, phishing-resistant MFA takes advantage of cryptographic techniques to prevent phishing attacks successfully. Currently, **Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)-based MFA** _ **and FIDO2 MFA** _ are the only 2 phishing-resistant MFA methods.

### PKI-based MFA

A standout in phishing-resistant MFA, PKI-based MFA employs a unique two-key mechanism. It uses a ‘public’ key accessible to anyone and a ‘private’ key known only to the user. The interaction between these keys during the authentication process creates a cryptographic barrier almost impossible to breach. So, even if a phishing attempt manages to get some user credentials, the lack of the legitimate ‘private’ key keeps the user’s account safe.

### FIDO2 MFA

Another prominent player in phishing-resistant MFA is FIDO2, a set of standards developed by the Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance. It works on something called the WebAuthn protocol and a corresponding Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP).

WebAuthn allows password-less authentication, facilitated directly by the web browser. CTAP enables external devices like smartphones or hardware keys to work as authenticators.

FIDO2 employs a challenge-response architecture using cryptographic means. The user’s private keys (stored in the authenticator) are never exposed, ensuring robust security even when faced with advanced phishing attacks.

## Conclusion

Phishing-resistant MFA is a powerful tool in combating cyber threats, especially phishing. In our digital age, adopting such sophisticated security measures is crucial for institutions and individuals alike. Technology is only part of the equation, though, and user awareness and vigilance remain equally essential to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity.

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