What is Two-factor authentication (2FA)?

What is Two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security process in which a user provides two different authentication factors to verify their identity. In traditional authentication systems, users only need to provide a password or PIN to access a system or service. However, in a 2FA system, users need to provide an additional piece of information or authentication factor, such as a fingerprint scan, a smart card, a security token, or a one-time password generated by an authentication app, to gain access.

The idea behind 2FA is to provide an extra layer of security to protect against unauthorized access or attacks such as phishing, password theft, or social engineering. Even if an attacker manages to obtain a user's password, they will still need the second authentication factor to access the system or service. This makes it much harder for attackers to gain access to sensitive information or perform malicious actions.

Two-factor authentication is widely used in various industries and applications, including online banking, email services, social media, cloud services, and others. It is generally considered a best practice for security and is often recommended by experts as a way to strengthen the security posture of an organization or individual.

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