What is two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication is a security measure that enhances the protection of user accounts by requiring two distinct forms of identification before granting access. This process typically involves something the user knows (like a password) and something the user possesses (such as a smartphone app that generates a time-based one-time password or a hardware token). By demanding two different factors for authentication, the system increases security significantly. Even if a malicious actor obtains the user's password, they would still need the second form of identification to gain entry.

This layered security approach effectively mitigates the risk of unauthorized access, making it much harder for attackers to compromise accounts. It is widely used across various online platforms to safeguard sensitive information and ensure that only legitimate users can access their accounts.