Two-factor authentication (2FA for short) is a mechanism with which an access that is usually only protected by a password can be protected by a second factor. This second factor can be manifold: SMS, mail, app, USB stick,...
Why is two-factor authentication important?
The great advantage of the 2FA system is that you can only access the desired account if you have access to the second factor in addition to the password. The Google Authenticator app is often used for this. This is a free app that generates a 6-digit code that is only valid for this account and is only valid for a few seconds.
How does a two-factor application work?
If you have entered both the user name and the password of the corresponding account, this is not enough to gain access to the account. Access is only activated by entering the second factor. This means that the user must now open the mobile phone app, for example, and enter the code from there on the website. Only now is the user logged in.
Why is this safer?
Someone who steals the user name and password via the Internet has no access to the 2nd factor and therefore cannot log into the account.
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