News item | 06-02-2024 | 9:00 am
Today the central government campaign ‘Doubly secured is twice as safe’ starts. This campaign is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice and Security and is intended to encourage Dutch people to set up two-step verification for email and other accounts.
A government poll shows that only a quarter (24%) of Dutch people use two-step verification for email and 15% with a social media account have set this security measure. While it is the most effective against hacking, one of the most common forms of cybercrime. With the new campaign ‘Double secured is twice as secure’, the government wants to encourage more Dutch people to use two-step verification for email and other accounts.
Your email gives access to everything
Nowadays, many platforms, from social media to web shops, allow you to change a username and/or password via email. A hacked email account can therefore have major consequences for other accounts and cause, for example, financial damage, reputational damage or account theft.
Log in in two steps
Two-step verification (2FA) is the same as two-step login. You log in to a website or app with a combination of forms of authentication: often ‘something you know’, such as your password or PIN code, in combination with ‘something you have or are’ such as your phone or a fingerprint. This means that even if your password is known to a cybercriminal, they still cannot simply log in to your accounts.
Double security is twice as safe
The campaign focuses on raising awareness to encourage the setting up of two-step login. Recognizable examples reveal the moments when email can be hacked and the consequences for other accounts. Dubbelzoveilig.nl explains how to set up login in two steps for the most popular platforms.
To make logging in in two steps possible for everyone, we collaborate with various partners, including the DigiHulplijn.
“As DigiHulplijn we can be reached by telephone free of charge for all digital questions. We also receive many questions about online security. Although setting up a two-step login is an important measure, many people still find it very difficult. That is why we are there to help people support you in understanding and configuring this important security step,” said Bob Bunnik, Quartermaster DigiHulplijn.
Kick-off campaign during Safer Internet Day
The campaign starts on Tuesday, February 6, on Safer Internet Day; a day on which worldwide attention is drawn to making the internet a safer and better place for everyone, especially for children and young people.
The campaign starts at Nova College in Haarlem. At a special ‘Double Checkpoint’, students are asked whether they have already set up a two-step login for email. If not, they will get help. This help comes, among other things, from students who follow the ‘Expert IT systems and devices’ course at Nova College, in which Cyber Security is an important part.
In the coming weeks, this ‘Double Checkpoint’ will visit several schools to bring the importance of logging in in two steps to the attention of young people.