When it comes to protecting your work, collaborators, and clients, security is a top priority. As a MediaSilo customer, you’re already working within a platform designed to keep your media assets safe. But how you log in and the security around that process matters as much as how your files are stored.
And what about your external collaborators? Are they taking security as seriously as you do? Because they can also access your files. Building a moat around your files does no good if you’re handing out kayaks to everyone.
Let’s break down the differences between SMS authentication and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and why MFA provides a significantly higher level of protection.
What Is SMS Authentication?
SMS authentication is a two-factor authentication (2FA) that sends a verification code to your phone via text message. You enter your username and password as usual, then input the code sent via SMS to complete your login.
While this may seem secure, it relies on a single device (your phone) and a vulnerable communication channel (SMS). That opens the door to various risks, especially if attackers specifically target your credentials.
What Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
MFA goes a step further by using two or more different types of factors to verify your identity:
- Something you know
- Using a password and a QR code scan for verification. The QR code, when scanned by a designated authenticator app, provides the app with the information to generate a one-time code. This code and the password are used to access the account.
- Something you have
- Using a password with a YubiKey for authentication typically involves a two-factor approach where you enter your password and then use your YubiKey to provide a second factor. This enhances security by requiring a known password and physical possession to access an account.
- Something you are
- A password with fingerprint or facial recognition is a specific, often highly secure, approach that differs from other MFA methods. This combination leverages “something you know” (password) with “something you are” (biometrics), offering strong protection.
For example, logging in with your password and confirming your identity with an app like Google Authenticator or Authy is a common MFA setup. The key difference is how securely the second factor is delivered and verified, demonstrating the surface area of a potential attack.
Why MFA Is More Secure Than SMS
Simply put, QR Codes and Authenticator Apps Outperform Text-Based Codes. While both SMS and MFA require a second step beyond your password, MFA offers better protection because:
- SMS can be intercepted. Some SMS services do not require a verified phone number, which leaves you incredibly vulnerable. Other times, SMS Attackers can use social engineering to trick your mobile carrier into transferring your number to a new SIM card (a tactic called SIM swapping).
SIM swapping is when a hacker tricks your mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a SIM card they control—giving them access to your calls, texts, and SMS-based 2FA codes.
Victims often suddenly lose cell service and then watch helplessly as their accounts are hijacked in real time. - Messages can be spoofed or redirected. SMS messages can be intercepted over insecure networks or through malicious apps.
SMS spoofing or redirection is when an attacker makes messages appear to come from a trusted source—or secretly intercepts them—often by exploiting flaws in mobile networks or tricking systems.
Victims might receive fake login codes or never see real ones, leaving them confused or unaware as attackers access their accounts. - Phones can be lost or stolen. SMS authentication becomes ineffective if someone gains physical access to your phone and it’s not adequately secured.
If someone gets physical access to your phone and it’s not locked or encrypted, they can read your SMS messages (including authentication codes) without needing to hack anything.
It can feel like a silent breach, where access is granted simply because your phone was left unprotected.
In contrast, MFA tools like authenticator apps or physical security keys are tied to your device and require an additional unlock or biometric verification, making them much more difficult to compromise.
Benefits of MFA for MediaSilo Users
For professionals working with high-value, pre-release, or confidential content, MFA offers:
- Stronger protection for your media assets
- Reduced risk of unauthorized access
- Compliance with industry and studio security standards
- Stronger verification for internal and external collaborators gives you peace of mind
Bottom Line: SMS Is Better Than Nothing, but MFA is the Gold Standard
SMS authentication can provide a basic layer of protection, but it’s not foolproof. As phishing attacks, SIM swapping, and other credential-based threats continue to rise, relying on SMS alone is no longer enough, as it gives attackers too many paths to bypass security. With only a phone number and some clever tactics, bad actors can slip past this layer of protection.
Multi-factor authentication is tied to your device and doesn’t rely on your carrier or insecure channels like SMS. That’s why MediaSilo strongly encourages enabling MFA using an authenticator app or hardware token. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference—keeping your content secure and your team confident that your creative work stays exactly where it should: in the right hands.
Need help setting up MFA on your MediaSilo account?
