The rise of Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks is a serious threat to both our customers and our company. These attacks allow fraudsters to become invisible eavesdroppers in your customers’ transactions. They can steal sensitive information like passwords and credit card details, or even manipulate data to trick them into unauthorized actions. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) has become a cornerstone of online security for many. But here's the thing: MFA is great, but it can't stop everything, especially if someone clicks something they shouldn't or falls for a fancy phishing scheme.  

That's why biometric face authentication is like the ultimate security upgrade – it uses your customers’ unique face like a super-secret password that hackers can't copy! 

Why MFA is not enough to stop Man-In-The-Middle Attacks 

Compared to using just a username and password, MFA adds a powerful layer of security. It strengthens traditional logins and makes it much harder for criminals to steal accounts. This is especially true for people who reuse the same password for everything (which is a significant part of consumers).  

In these cases, where attackers only have a stolen password, MFA methods like one-time codes from emails or texts (SMS and email OTPs) are very effective at stopping them from taking over accounts. 

While MFA is becoming increasingly common, cybercriminals are developing new tools to bypass it. These attacks are concerning because they're becoming more and more common. The availability of dedicated fraud tools on the dark web makes them even more alarming, as it creates a readily accessible arsenal for malicious actors. 

Phishing as a Service (PhaaS) is a prime example. PhaaS kits, readily available online, provide attackers with everything they need to launch sophisticated phishing campaigns, including email templates, target lists, and detailed instructions. These tools specifically target circumventing MFA, making them highly dangerous. 

By using a fake website that appears real, the attacker can trick the user into revealing their login credentials and even intercept any MFA codes or links sent to the user, bypassing this additional security layer. This raises concerns about the limitations of current MFA solutions. 

Face authentication as an effective solution against Man-in-the-Middle attacks 

So, how does face authentication put a wrench in the plans of those sneaky MitM attackers? Since face authentication relies on your physical characteristics, there's no code to steal or replicate. 

For years, passwords have been the cornerstone of online service authentications. But let's face it (pun intended) – they're a hassle. Remembering complex combinations for every account is a struggle, and resorting to weak, easily guessed passwords leaves you and your customers vulnerable.  

Face authentication leverages your customers’ unique facial features for secure and convenient access. Here's how it works: When attempting to log in to a secure platform, users are requested to take a selfie with their smartphone or computer's camera. The generated template is then compared to the one previously taken to register the individual as an authorized user.  

If the comparison reveals a match, access is granted. This eliminates the risk associated with stolen passwords or brute-force attacks where attackers try to guess your code. Since the template represents the user’s unique facial data, it's virtually impossible to replicate, making it a far more secure alternative. More importantly, if done right, facial authentication doesn’t require storage of these images, ensuring a higher level of  privacy. 

Now, let's delve into how face authentication throws a wrench into the plans of those MitM attackers. Remember, MitM attacks involve a malicious actor intercepting communication between your customer and your website or application, stealing their login credentials in the process. But with face authentication, attackers are left empty-handed. 

Sophisticated masks or photos won't fool the system because advanced face authentication incorporates liveness detection. This technology ensures the user is a real person, not just a picture or video, by looking for subtle cues like blinking or head movement. Also, by properly protecting against video injection on mobile phones and browsers, face authentication systems also effectively prevent attackers from prompting the victim to authenticate with their face and later reuse that information. 

By eliminating the vulnerability of passwords, face authentication effectively disrupts the entire MitM attack strategy. 

Fortify your customer authentication processes 

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and so are the threats we face online. Man-in-the-middle attacks pose a significant risk, allowing attackers to steal sensitive information and compromise accounts. This is where biometric face authentication shines. 

Schedule a demo and see how Youverse’s software stops MitM attacks and fortifies your business security.