Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to access a system, application, or resource. It combines something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a smartphone or hardware token), and/or something the user is (like a fingerprint or facial recognition). This layered approach significantly enhances security by making unauthorized access more difficult, even if one factor is compromised.
Developers should implement MFA to protect sensitive data and systems, especially for applications handling financial transactions, healthcare records, or user accounts. It is crucial for compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, and is widely used in enterprise environments, cloud services, and online banking to prevent breaches from stolen credentials. Learning MFA is essential for building secure authentication flows in modern web and mobile applications.