The government just launched a “Lock Down Your Login†campaign to help Americans better secure their online accounts and data. The campaign is the effort of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), as well as nonprofits, and private companies.
The campaign’s goal is to inform users about stronger security methods for online access than just a password. The NCSA states that 72% of Americans think that their online accounts are secured with only a username and password. The push is to get people to use stronger security methods, such as fingerprint scanning and two-factor authentication, where you are sent a code to access an online account that must be used for login in addition to a password.
As mentioned, a number of businesses and nonprofits will offer their own programs and events in support of the campaign. Facebook is going on a media and broadcast tour to inform about available online security tools and to raise awareness about the need for both strong authentication and passwords. The social media company will also feature a blog series dedicated to the “Lock Down Your Login†campaign with advice on how to keep a Facebook account secure.
Google will urge users to make an account security “check-up†via instructions it will promote in a blog post, on social media, and on its homepage in October. Intel is also committed to the effort and will deliver security education to consumers, and also highlight its security technology True Key–a multifactor password manager.
For its part in the campaign, Mastercard will announce the launch of Mastercard Identity Check Mobile solution for BMO Harris Bank’s commercial cards. Mastercard Identity Check Mobile allows a user to authenticate a digital payment transaction with a fingerprint or selfie.
On October 27, the FIDO Alliance, the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) will jointly host a “Future of Authentication Policy Day.â€