Information Technology

In the technological world, an authentication factor is something you rely on to identify yourself when logging into an account or system. Passwords are the most common authentication method. Most information technology professionals recommend that users use multi-factor authentication (MFA). During multi-factor authentication, you must use two or more different factors in order to log in.

As an example of MFA, you can use a password along with a phone verification to gain access to your accounts. This adds an additional layer of security and ensures that anyone seeking to access your account must have both factors to do so. Therefore, if one of your factors is stolen, the hacker will not have the other factor, and therefore they will not be able to get into your account.

As more organizations implement MFA to strengthen account security, you might encounter different authentication factors. There are three types of factors you might come across:

1. Something You Know: A password or security question may be an example of something you know.
2. Something You Have: This could be a phone verification code or something physical, such as a key card.
3. Something Unique to You: Biometrics or a fingerprint are examples of something unique to you.
   

Using two or more authentication measures increases account security. Cybercriminals will be less likely to be able to access your data and personal information if you combine different authentication measures.