“MFA enabled” is not a security verdict: a text message, an authenticator code, a push prompt and a passkey do not resist the same attacks. For important accounts, aim for FIDO/WebAuthn passkeys or security keys where supported, then check whether weaker sign-in or recovery options are still available.
What “MFA enabled” does—and doesn’t—tell you
Multifactor authentication (MFA) asks for an additional identity check beyond a password. That extra check can make a stolen password less useful, but the label alone does not tell you whether the second factor can be phished, intercepted, or tricked into approving a login. CISA advises using MFA and distinguishes between methods by how well they resist attacks. See CISA’s MFA guidance and its recommendations for requiring MFA.
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The practical question is not just whether an account has MFA turned on. It is what the account asks you to do, and what other routes can still get someone in.
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This is a qualitative threat-based comparison, not a measured ranking of compromise rates. CISA identifies FIDO/WebAuthn as phishing-resistant and describes weaknesses in phone-based and other methods.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
| Method | What it helps with—and what it does not |
|---|---|
| FIDO/WebAuthn passkey or security key | CISA identifies FIDO/WebAuthn as phishing-resistant. It is the preferred target for migration where the service and your devices support it. Check recovery options and compatibility before relying on it. |
| Authenticator app or token one-time code | Generally avoids reliance on SMS delivery, but a fake sign-in site can trick you into entering a code that an attacker relays. It is not phishing-resistant. |
| Push approval with number matching | Entering a number shown during sign-in helps mitigate repeated approval prompts. It still does not make push phishing-resistant. |
| Push approval without number matching | A stream of unexpected prompts can pressure someone into approving one by mistake or annoyance. |
| SMS or voice code | Can be phished and is exposed to phone-number attacks, including SIM swaps and interception. Use it only when stronger options are unavailable, and check whether it remains a fallback. |
CISA’s phishing-resistant MFA fact sheet, number-matching fact sheet and mobile communications guidance support this hierarchy. CISA states: “The only widely available phishing-resistant authentication is FIDO/WebAuthn authentication.”
Why SMS and authenticator codes are not equivalent
SMS and voice codes depend on your phone number
A texted code may be exposed to phishing, SIM-swap attacks or interception in phone networks. CISA’s December 18, 2024 mobile communications guidance says SMS messages are not encrypted and recommends moving targeted accounts away from SMS. That does not mean every text is intercepted; it means SMS is a weaker choice for accounts where a stronger method is available.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Authenticator codes can still be phished
An authenticator app avoids SMS delivery, but a one-time code is still something a person can disclose. A convincing fake login page can capture the code as you type and relay it to the real service. CISA discusses this risk in its identity and access management recommendations.
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Push MFA sends a sign-in approval request to an app. If an attacker has a password, repeated prompts may exploit inattention or frustration. CISA defines the tactic this way: “MFA fatigue, also known as ‘push bombing,’ occurs when a cyber threat actor bombards a user with mobile application push notifications until the user either approves the request by accident or out of annoyance with the nonstop notifications.”
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Number matching makes a person enter or select a number displayed during the sign-in attempt, rather than simply tap approve. That makes indiscriminate prompt bombing harder, but it does not bind authentication to the genuine website. CISA’s October 2022 number-matching fact sheet presents it as a mitigation; it is not a substitute for phishing-resistant FIDO/WebAuthn.
If you receive an approval request you did not initiate, do not approve it. Repeated unexpected prompts may indicate someone is trying to sign in; report them to your organization’s IT team or the service, and secure the account.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Why passkeys and security keys are different
FIDO/WebAuthn authentication is designed to resist phishing by tying the sign-in response to the legitimate service rather than asking you to type a reusable code into a page. CISA calls it the widely available phishing-resistant option and recommends planning a move to it. A passkey or a compatible hardware security key can provide a FIDO/WebAuthn sign-in, but availability and setup vary by service and device. Confirm both support and account recovery before making a change. CISA’s More than a Password and MFA recommendations discuss the approach; its December 18, 2024 mobile guidance states, “Only FIDO authentication is phishing-resistant.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The information below is per-pack only
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
Check the MFA on your important accounts
- Prioritize accounts with high impact. Start with email, financial accounts, cloud storage, social accounts, and work or administrative accounts.
- Find the actual sign-in method. In each account’s security settings, identify whether it uses SMS, an authenticator code, push approval, number matching, a passkey or a security key. “Two-step verification” or “MFA enabled” may not name the factor clearly; inspect the listed methods.
- Move to FIDO/WebAuthn where available. Enroll a supported passkey or compatible hardware security key. Before removing an existing method, make sure you understand how you will sign in on your devices and recover access if a device or key is lost.
- Review every fallback and recovery route. A stronger primary method may coexist with SMS or another weaker option. Remove SMS fallback when the service permits and a safe alternative is in place; do not remove the only recovery route before you have a usable replacement.
- If FIDO/WebAuthn is unavailable, choose the strongest supported option. An authenticator code avoids SMS delivery risks, while number matching improves push approval compared with a simple approve-or-deny prompt. Neither is phishing-resistant.
- Respond safely to unexpected prompts. Never approve a login you did not start. If prompts repeat, report them to your IT team or the service rather than treating them as routine.
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