With an authenticator app, users are given an automatically generated one-time password (OTP), which can act as a highly secure second factor for 2FA. This second factor can also be used before a transaction is made. This means if an unauthorized user gets their hands on a password, they will still need access to an email or phone number linked to the account where a special code is sent for an extra level of protection.įor example, a bank will require a username and password in order for a user to access their account, but it also needs a second form of authentication such as a unique code or fingerprint recognition to confirm a user’s identity. In order for 2FA to work, a user must have at least two important pieces of credentials in order to log in to an account (with multi-factor usually involving more than three different details). Two-factor authentication, more popularly known as 2FA, is the most commonly used method. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a digital authentication method used to confirm the identity of a user to allow them access to a website or app through at least two pieces of evidence.

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Ms authenticator desktop