Multi-factor authentication (MFA), a cornerstone of digital security, provides critical protection against unauthorized access to online accounts and services. As adoption of MFA grows, however, organizations and users face a new and concerning challenge: MFA Fatigue.
What Is MFA Fatigue?
MFA Fatigue refers to the frustration and desensitization users experience when they are repeatedly prompted with authentication requests. Traditional MFA methods often add friction to the user experience. These methods significantly harm customer experience and conversions. For example, research by Crazy Egg found “a mere one-second delay in page load time in a browsing scenario yields a 16% decrease in customer satisfaction and a 7% loss in conversions.”1
How Attackers Exploit MFA Fatigue
Cybercriminals are increasingly taking advantage of MFA Fatigue through a technique known as “MFA Bombardment” or “MFA Spamming.” In these attacks, bad actors use stolen credentials to trigger a relentless stream of authentication prompts to a victim’s device. Overwhelmed by the volume, users may eventually approve a request just to make the notifications stop, inadvertently granting attackers access.
This attack method has been used in several high-profile breaches, including incidents at Uber, Cisco, and Microsoft. More recently, organizations like Okta and LastPass have reported similar tactics being used against their employees and customers. Security industry reports confirm that MFA bombardment remains a growing threat as attackers seek new ways to bypass traditional defenses.
The Solution: Modern, Frictionless Authentication
To protect both users and businesses, it’s essential to adopt modern, seamless authentication solutions. Syniverse Frictionless Authentication is a silent network authentication solution that leverages secure, network-based verification to authenticate users invisibly. It eliminates the need for repeated prompts and makes it virtually impossible for attackers to exploit MFA Fatigue.
Key Benefits of Syniverse Frictionless Authentication:
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Seamless user experience with no extra steps or interruptions
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Reduced abandonment and increased conversion rates
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Robust defense against credential-based and MFA bombardment attacks
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Enhanced security without sacrificing convenience
Take the Next Step
Don’t let MFA Fatigue undermine your security strategy or user experience. Contact our experts or visit our website to find out how Syniverse advanced Silent Network Authentication (SNA) solutions can help protect your organization and your customers.
To learn more about maximizing the ROI of Identity and Authentication solutions, download our whitepaper, Cracking the Security Trilemma.
Reference
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Crazy egg. April 9, 2025. “20 Ways to Speed Up Your Website (Improve Conversion by 7%).” Last accessed July 21, 2025. https://www.crazyegg.com/blog/speed-up-your-website/
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Why You Need Multi-Factor Authentication
Completing the Puzzle of Trusted Communications
What is Frictionless Authentication and Why You Should Use It
Why You Need an Omni-Channel Authentication Strategy
Why Passwordless Authentication is the Future
What Are Account Takeovers and How to Protect Against Them
Beware The Iceberg of Trusted Communications
