Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a security process that requires two different methods of identification from the user to grant access to an account or system. This extra layer beyond the username and password protects your Account, even if the password has been compromised, making it much harder for a potential attacker to access your account.
Here’s how 2FA typically works:
- Something you know: This is usually your username and password, which is the first factor of authentication.
- Something you have: This is the second factor, and it’s typically a temporary code or token that is generated or sent to you through a separate device or method. Common forms of the second factor include:
- Time-based one time passwords (TOTP) generated through a mobile authenticator app, or sent via SMS.
- Smart cards or physical tokens.
- Biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
To gain access to an account or system, a user must provide both factors: something they know (password) and something they have (the second factor). Even if an attacker manages to steal or guess your password, they would still need the second factor to gain access, which significantly enhances security.
2FA is widely used to secure various online services, including email accounts, social media platforms, banking websites, and more. It greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized account access and helps protect sensitive information from various types of common attacks.
Really Simple Security supports various methods, including Email 2FA, TOTP (Authenticator app) and Passkeys. Please read our next article which explains how to easily configure 2FA on your WordPress site with the plugin: