What Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Nowadays with easy access and reasonable rates, almost every other person can use the internet. Most of the activities, including buying-selling, sharing ideas, remaining in contact with dear ones, etc. are all performed online. The growing demand and easy access require more and more protection for the individuals on the internet. Hence, to meet the security demands passwords were developed. Now let’s know how they work and why we need them.

What Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Passwords and various authentications play a key role in maintaining the privacy and keeping our accounts secure. To keep our accounts secure, we keep passwords. Earlier these passwords were simple, but with the increase in security demand and scams the passwords needed to be more complex to get more security, but, even if a person had a very complex password it was still easy for the scammers to hack it and intrude in the victim’s privacy. So, to keep your password secure and avoid the interference of the hackers, Two-Factor authentication (2FA) was implemented.

What Does Two-Factor Authentication Mean?

Two-Factor Authentication is the second filter added to the user’s security to verify the identification and make sure that an authentic user is working on the other end, not a hacker or scammer. The 2FA is generally something unique to the user like a fingerprint, your phone number, personal email ID, etc. By combining your password with these unique identity factors, we can ensure the security of the individual online.

Different Types of 2FA Security

There are various ways to implement the 2FA security system. Some of the most common methods are:

• SMS — It includes a unique ‘one-time-password’ tied to your account while logging in or sent to your smartphone through SMS. It is a possession-based factor that uses the device a person owns like a cell phone or smartphone.
• Software-Based — Software-based 2FA or S2FA requires the process of registration and login which includes the creation of a password (for the first authentication). After that, you can have a unique code or OTP on your registered phone number or have a QR scanner scan the unique QR code.
• Hardware-Based — Hardware-based 2FA or H2FA includes unique fingerprints or face detection IDs. It can also be implemented by detecting the electronic security chip in your hardware that has unique in-built code.
• Biometric — This is the most common 2FA which uses the unique physical feature of the user to verify his/her identity like fingerprint, face, the shape of the hand, etc.

The Best 2FA Method for You

Every 2FA, whether it is S2FA or H2FA, has its pros and cons. It depends upon the personal security needs. A person who does not own a smartphone would be unable to use S2FA. Similarly, in the case of H2FA, the device may not detect the physical features as they change due to aging. Hence, it depends upon the individual’s requirement or the individual’s personal choice.

Final Thoughts

While diving into the depths of the virtual (digital) world, one must carefully secure his/her identity from the scammers. This blog gives an idea of available and most common digitized security systems. It is always good to be aware and have basic knowledge of such options and platforms, even if you don’t require it immediately. After-all knowledge never goes wasted.