How can a user secure their Alibaba Cloud infrastructure against unauthorized access?

Employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an effective way to secure Alibaba Cloud infrastructure against unauthorized access. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing their accounts. This means that even if a malicious actor obtains a user’s password, they would still need a second factor, such as a code sent to the user’s mobile device or a biometric verification, to gain access. This drastically reduces the risk of unauthorized access, as it requires more than just knowledge of the user's credentials.

In contrast, single-factor authentication, such as just using a password, offers limited security since compromised passwords can easily lead to unauthorized access. Focusing only on securing IP addresses or disabling inbound traffic might help in reducing certain attack vectors, but they do not address the user authentication process, which is a critical aspect of protecting infrastructure. Implementing MFA effectively fortifies user authentication and mitigates the risk posed by unauthorized access attempts.