Beyond Passwords: MFA & Dark Web Credential Monitoring

Covering the basics

You already know passwords are the literal MINIMUM when it comes to security requirements for any accounts you create, this also means it’s the easiest for hackers to get past. If you pair a strong password with a little something else, you drastically shrink attackers’ chances of breaking through your defenses. You’ve heard, and hopefully already adopted, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). It’s one of the strongest defenses you can put around your accounts to guard your personal data.

But here’s a spooky thought: what if your password was already exposed on the dark web? Your credentials might already be floating around in hacker marketplaces, which means your MFA is now also your gatekeeper – even if those hackers have the right password, this bouncer is keeping them OUT!

In this post, we’ll dig deeper into:

1. Why MFA matters & the stats to back it up
2. What your MFA options are
3. Gaps in MFA security to be aware of
4. What Dark Web Credential Monitoring is
   1. PLUS – Why smart business owners should care

LET’S GO!

How Effective Is MFA — The Evidence

Google claims that SMS-based 2-Factor Authentication (a simple MFA form) can block 100% of automated bot attacks and 96% of bulk phishing attacks, and 66% of targeted attacks (Google Security Blog).

Shortcomings & Vulnerabilities of MFA

While these numbers sure sound great — CAUTION — MFA is not perfect!

Some analysts argue that claims of “MFA stops 99% of attacks” are overstated and may only apply when other security measures are in place. One critique suggests a more realistic range is that MFA may block closer to 30–50% of some attack types, depending on method and context (Cybercrime Magazine).

Also, adoption is lagging: nearly 65% of small-to-mid businesses (SMBs) globally do not use MFA at all (Cyber Readiness Institute).

Finally, having an MFA in place won’t always make cybercriminals give up & find an easier target – below are some common strategies employed by hackers attempting to bypass your MFA.

• SIM swapping / SMS interception bypasses SMS-based MFA.
  • Attackers hijack your phone number and intercept codes.
• MFA fatigue / push bombing: attackers send repeated push requests so you get tired, annoyed or distracted and hit “Approve” to make it stop (South Carolina Press Association)
• Man-in-the-Middle or session hijacking / token theft: attackers intercept the authentication flow or steal session tokens, so they don’t need to directly pass MFA (SCMedia).
• Phishing for MFA tokens: users can be tricked into providing codes or approval via deceptive MFA prompts.
• Poor implementation / fallback loopholes: e.g. accounts where MFA isn’t enforced or where fallback to weak methods is permitted.

So: MFA is extremely effective, but context matters — success is dependent on which version you pick, how you use it in tandem with other security measures, and your awareness to its vulnerabilities.

---

Dark Web Credential Monitoring: Why It Matters

Here’s where the twist comes in: even the best MFA isn’t 100% effective if your password, or other sensitive information, is already exposed somewhere criminals have access to it.

What is Dark Web Credential Monitoring?

Dark web monitoring (or dark web scanning) is the practice of continuously scanning hidden parts of the internet — marketplaces, forums, encrypted dump sites — for exposed credentials or sensitive company data tied to your domain, employees, or systems (CrowdStrike.com)

It’s like sending out digital scent dogs into hacker dens to see what’s already for sale.

When monitoring finds a match (ex: a username + password, email, domain credentials), you get alerted — so you can respond before attackers exploit that info.

Why Business Owners Need to Care

Many don’t realize their credentials are already out there. A domain email or company login might have been leaked in a previous breach, and you wouldn’t know until someone abuses it.

Dark web monitoring gives you visibility into what criminals already know about your business.

It’s an early warning system that helps you act fast: when you see a compromised credential, you can force resets, revoke access, and tighten security proactively rather than reacting after damage.

In a lot of cybercrime cases, leaks may take months to be discovered, our friends at Sentinel One recommend Dark Web Monitoring to help shrink the “blind window”.

For small and medium businesses, this is cost-effective risk mitigation. It’s cheaper & less damaging to find & correct leaked credentials early, rather than respond to a full breach (invenioit.com).

In short: MFA helps stop unauthorized logins. Dark web monitoring helps detect what’s already been compromised — and gives you a chance to act before the login attempt even happens.

To learn more about how Fisher’s can help Uncover the full potential of your IT infrastructure with Fisher’s TechSWOT, click HERE. Our comprehensive technology assessment highlights weaknesses, seizes opportunities, and mitigates threats so your business can run smarter, not harder.

---

Breakdown: MFA Options, Strengths & Weaknesses

Below is a simple comparison of common MFA methods, with tradeoffs and tips.

METHOD	HOW IT WORKS	STRENGTHS	WEAKNESSES / RISKS	BEST USE CASES
SMS / VOICE CODES	After entering your password, a code is sent via SMS or voice call	Very convenient, low friction	Vulnerable to SIM swapping, interception, number porting attacks	Use temporarily, or when no stronger option is available
AUTHENTICATOR APPS	You open an app which shows a new code for every login	More secure than SMS, hard to intercept, works offline	If phone is lost, migration fuss; can be phished if user enters code on attacker’s spoofed site	Good “sweet spot” for most users – simple & effective
PUSH NOTIFICATIONS	After login, a prompt is sent to your phone saying, “Approve or Deny login?”	Very user-friendly, one tap	Susceptible to “MFA fatigue” (bombarding with prompts), accidental taps, social engineering	Fine for lower-risk accounts, but reserve higher protection for sensitive accounts
HARDWARE SECURITY KEYS	You must physically have the key (USB/NFC/Bluetooth) and tap it or insert it	Extremely phishing-resistant, strong cryptographic protection	Costs money, some accounts or apps may not support, must not lose the key	Best for high-value or high-risk accounts (email, banking, admin access)
BIOMETRICS	Fingerprint, face ID, iris scan, etc. – should be used alongside another factor!	Fast & frictionless for the user	Can be spoofed in some cases; should not be sole factor	Good as a factor, but ideally combined with possession + knowledge

Bonus Options:

1. Passkeys / FIDO2 / WebAuthn
   • These allow “passwordless” or hybrid MFA that are phishing-resistant.
     • Microsoft now pushes “phishing-resistant MFA” as a baseline (Microsoft Learn).
2. Adaptive / risk-based MFA
   • The system dynamically decides whether to prompt for extra factors, based on risk signals (location, device, behavior) (RSA).

---

Final Thoughts & Best Practices

MFA is incredibly powerful — when correctly used and properly configured. However, like anything else, it can’t block what it doesn’t see. That’s why pairing it with Dark Web Credential Monitoring gives you both proactive protection and visibility into hidden threats.

Your credentials might already be out there. Don’t wait for an attacker to knock down your door. Use MFA, monitor the dark web, and if you need help, Fisher’s has your back!

1. Enable MFA wherever possible!
2. Opt for authenticator apps or hardware keys over SMS.
3. Don’t approve a login you didn’t initiate. If you see a random push prompt, deny it and investigate.
4. Advocate for MFA in your workplace and for vendors you use.
5. Find a trusted partner & start running Dark Web Scans to stop potential breaches before they occur!

Lastly,

Contact Fisher’s TODAY to schedule TechSWOT analysis of your business!