Only a few industry-specific areas that are already regulated offer comprehensive 2-factor authentication options. Even where their sensitive data is processed, protection with a second factor is only optionally used to a limited extent when registering. This is shown by an analysis by the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations ( vzbv ), for which over 200 digital services from 16 industries were examined.

Pharmacies, fitness trackers, shops

For example, none of the mail-order pharmacies examined by vzbv and only two of the 13 fitness trackers examined enable such a procedure. None of the German online shops considered offer the option of logging into the user account in a two-stage process.

However, the study also shows that even if a secure registration process is offered, consumers often do not use it - even if they perceive the data to be worth protecting: According to a survey by the hopp market research institute on behalf of vzbv in 2021, only 17 percent use it a two-step process when registering for your email account. At the same time, 61 percent stated that their email inbox was particularly worthy of protection.

Explain 2-factor authentication

“This discrepancy shows that providers should explain and promote 2-factor authentication better and make it a default setting. Companies should create the best possible conditions so that consumers can protect their online accounts well,” says vzbv board member Jutta Gurkmann.

That could also be of interest

Fact or fake, the show with Mimikama is now also on German TV! So far only on ORF, now finally also on German TV: Fact or fake, the show with Mimikama will be broadcast on March 25, 2022. Continue reading …


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )