Why Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Matters More Than Ever

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 15, 2025

While a Master of Fine Arts helps you create something beautiful, the MFA we鈥檙e focused on鈥擬ulti-Factor Authentication鈥攊s all about protecting what matters most: your digital security.

At KSU, we use Duo  to provide that extra layer of protection when logging into your campus accounts. Even if someone steals your password, they can鈥檛 get in without your second factor鈥攍ike a prompt on your phone. It鈥檚 quick, simple, and highly effective.

And here鈥檚 the thing: this kind of protection isn鈥檛 just for university systems. You can (and should) use MFA on your personal accounts too鈥攅specially for email, banking, and social media. Apps like Duo, Google Authenticator, or Microsoft Authenticator work across a wide range of services and can help keep your personal information just as secure.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

MFA is a simple security measure that adds an extra layer of protection beyond just your password. It requires two or more of the following:

  • Something you know (like your password)
  • Something you have (like a phone or security token)
  • Something you are (like a fingerprint or facial recognition)

So even if someone guesses鈥攐r steals鈥攜our password, they still can't get into your account without the second (or third) factor.

Why Should You Care?

Because phishing happens. A lot.
Universities are frequent targets for phishing scams that trick users into handing over login credentials. MFA helps stop attackers in their tracks, even if you accidentally give away your password.

Because you鈥檙e protecting more than just yourself.
A compromised account can be used to launch attacks on classmates, coworkers, and even entire departments. MFA helps prevent a ripple effect that could impact the whole university.

Because it鈥檚 fast and easy.
Most MFA systems鈥攍ike an app notification or a quick text message鈥攖ake just a few seconds. That鈥檚 a small price to pay for a massive increase in security.

Real-World Example

Let鈥檚 say you receive an email that looks like it鈥檚 from your a trusted source. It asks you to 鈥渧erify your account鈥� by clicking a link and entering your login credentials. It seems legitimate, so you do it鈥攗nfortunately, it was a phishing scam, and now a cybercriminal has your username and password.

Without Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), that attacker can immediately log into your email, access your files, view sensitive student or research data, and even use your account to target others in your network.

But if you have MFA enabled with Duo? The story ends differently.

When the attacker tries to log in, they鈥檙e prompted to approve the login through Duo on your phone. You receive a notification: 鈥淎re you trying to log in?鈥濃�攂ut you鈥檙e not. You deny the request, report the suspicious activity, and just like that, the attacker is locked out. They have your password, but without your phone or your approval, it鈥檚 useless.

MFA doesn鈥檛 just slow down hackers鈥攊t stops them.


Bottom Line:
MFA is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your information safe. It protects your identity, your work, and your university. If you haven鈥檛 enabled it yet for your personal accounts鈥攏ow鈥檚 the time.

One simple step. A world more secure.

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