Revolutionizing IoT Security: Integrating Audio Data Transfer and Multi-Factor Authentication with Smartphones

Security is important in the Internet of Things (IoT) due to the widespread adoption of IoT devices in home and enterprise networks. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an effective approach to prevent unauthorized use of devices. However, many IoT devices do not have input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen, which makes it challenging to enable multi-factor authentication. This paper proposes a novel approach utilizing Audio Data Transfer (ADT) to enable a second channel for MFA on IoT devices. The effectiveness of this dual-channel MFA system, tailored for IoT's unique constraints, is thoroughly analyzed through various tests, demonstrating its potential to enhance IoT security. The proposed approach requires a user to be proximate to the device, limiting the transmission distance between the user and the device. However, the proposed approach is accessible, cost-effective, and enhances security in IoT.