Passkeys vs. MFA Fatigue: Stopping BEC Attacks in 2026

In 2026, passkeys are quickly becoming the most practical way to stop account takeovers that lead to business email compromise (BEC). That shift is happening for a simple reason: attackers have gotten very good at bypassing traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA) using MFA fatigue prompts and session-token phishing. If your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace mailbox gets hijacked, the attacker can impersonate leadership, redirect invoices, and quietly change rules to keep the fraud going.

This guide explains how modern BEC crews bypass legacy MFA, why passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn) are phishing-resistant, and how home users and small businesses can roll them out safely, including device readiness, recovery options, and remote workforce security. Fix My PC Store supports customers across Palm Beach County and nationwide via remote IT support for account security.

Why MFA Fatigue and Session-Token Phishing Still Win Against Traditional MFA

MFA was a huge improvement over passwords alone, but many deployments still rely on factors that attackers can manipulate. In January 2026, two patterns remain common in BEC investigations:

MFA fatigue attacks (push bombing)

Attackers trigger repeated sign-in prompts on a victim's phone until the user taps Approve just to make it stop, or because they believe it is a legitimate login. This is especially effective when the attacker times prompts during busy hours, after-hours, or when the user is traveling.

Session-token phishing (cookie theft)

Even if a user does not approve an MFA prompt, attackers can steal session tokens using phishing pages, malicious browser extensions, or malware on an endpoint. Once the token is captured, the attacker may be able to access email without re-entering MFA until the session expires or is revoked.

Why BEC attackers target email first

Email is the control plane for resets, approvals, invoices, vendor communications, and access to other services. After takeover, attackers commonly:

• Create inbox rules to hide replies, invoices, or security alerts.
• Add forwarding to external addresses.
• Send payment redirection requests to accounting or clients.
• Use the compromised mailbox to phish additional employees.

If you suspect compromise, it often becomes a combined account and endpoint problem. Our malware and virus removal service helps eliminate token-stealing malware, and our data recovery service can help when ransomware or destructive payloads appear alongside the takeover.

Passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn) and Phishing-Resistant Authentication for BEC Prevention

Passkeys are based on FIDO2/WebAuthn standards and are designed to be phishing-resistant authentication. Instead of typing a password into a website, your device proves possession of a private key stored securely on the device or on a hardware security key.

What makes passkeys phishing-resistant

• Origin binding: WebAuthn ties authentication to the legitimate site. A fake login page cannot complete the cryptographic challenge for the real domain.
• No reusable secrets: There is no password to reuse, guess, or spray.
• Hardware-backed protection: On many modern devices, keys are protected by secure hardware and unlocked with biometrics or a device PIN.

Passkeys vs. authenticator codes and SMS

Authenticator app codes and SMS are better than passwords alone, but they can still be phished or socially engineered. Passkeys reduce the chance a user can be tricked into handing over something an attacker can replay.

Where FIDO2 security keys fit

FIDO2 security keys (USB-A, USB-C, NFC) are a strong option for executives, finance teams, and admins. They can be used as passkeys and are ideal for:

• High-risk roles that approve payments or manage vendors
• Shared workstations where you do not want credentials stored locally
• Remote workforce users who travel and sign in from multiple devices

Microsoft 365 Passkeys and Entra ID Security: Practical Guidance

For Microsoft 365, passkeys are implemented through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) using FIDO2/WebAuthn methods. The goal is to reduce reliance on passwords and reduce the success rate of MFA fatigue attacks.

What to enable first in Entra ID security

• Phishing-resistant methods: Prefer passkeys and FIDO2 security keys for high-risk users.
• Stronger sign-in policies: Require stronger methods for admin roles and finance mailboxes.
• Reduce push approvals: Limit or harden push-based approvals where possible to reduce fatigue risk.

Microsoft provides official guidance on sign-in methods and security key support. See: Microsoft Support documentation.

Common BEC hardening steps for Microsoft 365 mailboxes

• Review mailbox rules and forwarding settings regularly.
• Use separate admin accounts that are not used for daily email.
• Enable alerts for suspicious sign-ins and inbox rule creation where available.
• Ensure endpoints are clean to reduce token theft risk.

If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC is acting suspicious or has browser popups, do not treat it as just an email problem. A compromised endpoint can steal sessions. Our computer repair and troubleshooting service can help stabilize systems and remove the root cause.

Google Workspace Passkeys: Reducing Account Takeovers and BEC Risk

Google Workspace passkeys also rely on FIDO2/WebAuthn and can significantly reduce successful phishing. Workspace admins can encourage or require stronger methods for high-risk users, while individuals can adopt passkeys for their Google accounts where supported.

Where Google Workspace passkeys help most

• Stopping lookalike login pages used in vendor invoice scams
• Reducing risk from password reuse across personal and business accounts
• Protecting remote users who sign in from hotels, shared Wi-Fi, and mobile devices

Do not ignore endpoint hygiene

Passkeys reduce phishing risk, but they do not automatically remove malware from a device. Token stealers, infostealers, and malicious extensions can still cause damage. For a practical security baseline, see: Malwarebytes security resources.

Rollout Plan for Home Users and Small Businesses (2026 Checklist)

A successful passkey rollout is less about flipping a switch and more about making sure users, devices, and recovery paths are ready. Use this phased plan to reduce lockouts and keep productivity high.

Phase 1: Inventory accounts and risk

• List all Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace users.
• Identify high-risk roles: owner, finance, HR, IT admins, anyone who can change banking details.
• Document critical shared mailboxes and vendor payment workflows.

Phase 2: Confirm device readiness

• Verify users have a supported device for passkeys (modern phones, modern browsers, or FIDO2 security keys).
• Make sure Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems are fully updated.
• Standardize browsers where possible and remove unknown extensions.

Phase 3: Start with a pilot group

• Enroll 2 to 5 users first, ideally including one high-risk user and one typical user.
• Test sign-in from primary devices and a backup device.
• Validate that users can still access email and core apps without friction.

Phase 4: Deploy FIDO2 security keys for critical users

• Issue two keys per critical user (primary and backup).
• Label and store backup keys securely.
• Train users on how to recognize legitimate prompts and how to report suspicious sign-ins.

Phase 5: Define recovery options before enforcing changes

Recovery is where many rollouts fail. Plan for lost phones, broken laptops, and employee turnover:

• Keep at least two authentication methods per user (for example, passkey plus a backup method allowed by your organization).
• Maintain secure admin recovery procedures with identity verification.
• Document emergency steps for finance and leadership accounts.

Phase 6: Remote workforce security playbook

• Require screen locks, device encryption where available, and strong device PINs.
• Reduce shared logins. Each user should have their own account.
• Use remote support to verify settings, remove risky extensions, and check for malware.

If your team is distributed, Fix My PC Store can help harden accounts nationwide using secure remote support services, while still supporting on-site customers across Palm Beach County.

BEC Prevention Beyond Login: Mailbox and Payment Controls That Matter

Passkeys help stop the initial takeover, but BEC prevention should also reduce the blast radius if someone does get in.

Mailbox auditing basics

• Check for new inbox rules, forwarding, and delegated access.
• Review sign-in history for unfamiliar locations and devices.
• Make sure security notifications go to more than one person for critical accounts.

Payment verification procedures

• Require out-of-band verification for bank detail changes (call a known number, not the email signature).
• Use a two-person approval for wire transfers when possible.
• Train staff to treat urgent invoice changes as suspicious by default.

How Fix My PC Store Helps in Palm Beach County and Nationwide

Fix My PC Store is based in West Palm Beach, Florida, and we regularly help customers across Palm Beach County, including nearby communities like Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, and Delray Beach. We also assist remote clients across the US.

Our security-focused services that support passkey adoption and BEC response include:

• Remote support for secure account setup and device hardening
• Virus and malware removal to reduce session-token theft risk
• Computer repair for unstable systems impacting authentication and security
• Data recovery if an incident leads to lost files or damaged systems