#2FA is a multi-layered security mechanism designed to verify the identity of a user before granting access to a system. Unlike the traditional username and password combination, 2FA adds an additional layer of protection by requiring users to provide two distinct forms of identification:
1. Something you know
This is typically your password, a secret that only you should know. It serves as the first line of defense, a gatekeeper to your digital identity.
2. Something you have
The second factor introduces an external element that only the legitimate user possesses. This could be a physical device (like a smartphone or hardware token such as YubiKey, RSA SecurID tokens, and Titan Security Key), a one-time code generated by an authenticator app, or even biometric data (such as fingerprint or face recognition).