2FA

Created by Antonio Contreras, Modified on Tue, 31 Jan, 2023 at 2:27 PM by Antonio Contreras

What is 2FA

In simple terms, 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by adding two (or occasionally more) layers of logins to your accounts.

As the name suggests, two-factor authentication requires one extra step — meaning a second factor — to log into an account. The process works as follows:

The user enters their username and password.
The account, platform, or site prompts the user to input another form of verification, such as texting a code to their mobile phone.
The user enters the verification code to gain access to their account.

A good example of two-factor authentication in the real world is an ATM card. In addition to physically presenting the card, you also need to type in your PIN to access your account.

Types of 2FA security

Three illustrations accompany the different types of 2FA to help people answer “What is 2FA?”