A security breach exposed two-factor authentication (2FA) codes/password reset links for millions of users on platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok.
Key Points:
- YX International, an SMS routing company, left an internal database exposed online without a password.
- The database contained one-time 2FA codes and password reset links for various tech giants.
- YX International secured the database and claims to have “sealed the vulnerability.”
- The company wouldn’t confirm how long the database was exposed or if anyone else accessed it.
- Representatives from Meta, Google, and TikTok haven’t commented yet.
Concerns:
- This leak highlights the vulnerabilities of SMS-based 2FA compared to app-based methods.
- The lack of information regarding the leak’s duration and potential access by others raises concerns.
Gemini Recommendations:
- Consider switching to app-based 2FA for increased security.
- Be cautious of suspicious communications and avoid clicking unknown links.
- Stay informed about potential security breaches affecting your online accounts.
Well at least they SEALED it and nobody captured the information when it was live because of course they did and you can’t fix something like this after the damage is done.
DON’T WORRY EVERYONE!
Oh boy! Can’t wait to get another year of credit monitoring! /s
It’s infuriating that my bank still uses SMS 2FA.
What if you don’t have an Android or Apple smartphone, or refuse to get one on privacy concerns?
I know SMS isn’t very secure, but how is one supposed to use 2FA if they can’t, or won’t, accept spyware to do so?
A lot of services now accept physical security keys for logging in. These keys use FIDO similar to how a phone-based passkey works. You just plug the dude in and then you are good to go.
Obviously not every company works with these just yet, but a lot of major companies do. Honestly most of the big tech companies support them.
GitHub and Bitwarden are the two I’m immediately thinking of, but that’s likely because I just used my passkey for those lol.
It’s way more secure than SMS MFA, and I prefer it to a phone app because I don’t have to look at then enter a code while hoping the time doesn’t run out for that code, forcing me to wait for a new one.
I’ve got some older unopened v4 Yubikeys that work let me have when they upgraded to v5. I’ve been meaning to try them out. Problem is there’s no backup. If you lose or break the thing, you’re screwed if you didn’t have some alternative 2FA set up.
That’s fine if you don’t want to use a smartphone, but SMS should not be the only option available. They should provide multiple options for 2FA so customers can choose what they are comfortable with.
You can use TOTP 2FA on a browser too, there’s plugins for it. It’s not some super secret algorithm, smartphone apps are just the most common way of handling it. I suppose there’s progress to be made in terms of accessibility and education for the general public in terms of options for TOTP.
That’s a good point, and I do have some 2FA set up like that. The problem is I have to be logged into a computer, have a browser open, have the 2FA extension installed, and be able to copy and paste or type the code in before the timer expires.
That’s not hard at home, but if I need to sign in to my bank account while at a library or anything like that, I’m screwed.
I think SMS is popular because it’s so easy to reach the people that need the codes, regardless of platform. I just wish it wasn’t so bad security-wise, you know?
TOTP isn’t offered by most of my financial sites, or Apple. It’s annoying.
It’s a circus out there…
One of my financial institutions supports yubikeys, but does not have the option to turn off sms 2fa. A chain is as strong as the weakest link, as usual.
Another only has sms 2fa and bizarrely allows me to specify any phone number at login time to receive the code. WTF?
Most only have 2fa via sms. When you talk about using an authenticator app people bitch and moan because they have to cut and paste those digits into the login page. Oh, the humanity…
Don’t even get me started on sites with “roll your own” schemes, like forcing you to install their app (which requires all permissions under the sun) just to accept a push message and allow you to login on their website.
Mine uses SMS 2FA AND had a 16-character password limit. I need to switch banks already. Any suggestions for a decent bank or credit union that uses modern password cryptography and app-based TOTP?
SMS 2FA is dumb, but I thought 16 characters are okay right now. Does the bank have too many password mistakes will block you for a certain time period enabled?
oh so even this bullshit that’s 20 times more annoying isn’t secure? good good
it’s sms 2fa, it was never secure. We’ve had reports of sms 2fa being bypassed for over a decade, but those were mostly sim swap attacks.
Unless your code is being generated locally, it’s not secure. Email has the same problem because that can be hijacked to intercept the code. A hardware dongle or TOTP app are the only real secure options for 2fa IMHO.
Yep SMS two factor authentication usage was officially suggested to no longer utilize by NIST in 2016, and in practice before that, to your point.
This shit is old, people! It’s trivial to compromise. Start transitioning where you can to passkeys and start using an app based MFA, like Duo or Authy, both free.
Why tf Google is outsourcing security?
Google is not a mobile phone network provider. SMS routing is not really their cup of tea. It is an industry with lots of established players, lota of local issues, and little to gain for Google. If it where up to Google, everyone would be using their app instead of SMS.
I didn’t ask why they’ve outsourced SMS transmission. I’m aware that trying to do it yourself means going through lot of bureaucratic and regulatory stuff.
I asked why they’re outsourcing security.
Not only are you rude, but you are the one who isn’t understanding.
Nobody is “outsourcing security”. You have failed to comprehend the situation and instead of accepting your own ignorance you’ve turned around and been an ass to the person who tried to answer your question
Do better
