Two-factor authentication: what you need to know

When it comes to protecting sensitive data from theft, there are various protection methods that can be considered. One of the most efficient protection methods is two-factor authentication. In this article, we explain what this two-step security measure is all about and how it works.

How does two-factor authentication work?

Even big companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google or Apple get hacked from time to time. The hackers often target user data. To protect the data from outside access, many of the services have introduced an additional security level in the form of two-factor authentication.

• In addition to your password, your user account is protected by an additional query when two-step authentication is active. Depending on the provider, this differs.
• The additional query is usually a password or a code that is generated only for this login. Depending on the system, this works via an authentication app or you receive the code via SMS.

Through this security system, it is not possible for hackers to access your account and thus your data even if they have the login data, because the generated code is also required.

Then a two-factor authentication makes sense

The two-factor authentication is especially useful if you use it to protect an account that contains personal and sensitive data such as bank details, pictures or addresses. However, for the increased security, you also have to accept an additional step when logging in. This can be inconvenient, especially for services where you log in frequently.