Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to provide two or more forms of authentication before they can access a system or data. MFA is used to increase the security of user authentication by making it more difficult for attackers to gain access to user accounts through phishing attacks, credential stuffing, or other types of attacks.
MFA typically requires users to provide something they know (such as a password), something they have (such as a security token or smart card), or something they are (such as a fingerprint or facial recognition). By requiring multiple factors of authentication, MFA can help to prevent unauthorized access even if one factor (such as a password) is compromised.
For example, when logging into an online account with MFA enabled, a user may be prompted to provide a password (something they know) and a code sent to their mobile device (something they have). This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to the account through brute-force attacks or by stealing the user’s password through a phishing attack.
MFA can be implemented using a variety of methods and technologies, such as security tokens, smart cards, biometric authentication, and mobile apps. MFA is a widely recommended security best practice and is commonly used to secure online accounts, financial transactions, and other sensitive systems and data.
