While undoubtedly, everyone is using 2FA and MFA options for everything from social media to online banking, most users may not be aware of the difference between the two. After all, in everyone’s perception, isn’t two-factor essentially equivalent to multiple factors?
Simply put: 2FA is MFA, but MFA is not 2FA.
Understanding the difference between the two forms of authentication and the different categories of MFA will help improve account security and assist users in choosing the right type of authentication in the future.
Understanding Your Security Factors
Before understanding the difference between two-factor authentication and multi-factor authentication, it’s important to know that there are different categories of factors, what these categories are, and how they work.
- Knowledge Factors:
Security questions, PINS, or even lock patterns that users are familiar with are the most basic factors, based on what the user “knows.” They are also the least secure form of authentication, as anyone who discovers or knows the answer can access the account. - Possession Factors:
Because it requires the user to “have” something, it is more secure than knowledge factors. Mobile apps and security keys are examples of possession factors. Users must directly touch this factor when logging into the account, which is difficult for intruders to do. - Inherence Factors:
Biometric scans belong to inherence factors, using something “on” the user for identification. These are the most secure for users, as copying a person’s fingerprint, facial recognition, or iris scan is very difficult for hackers. - Contextual Factors:
Authentication through user location. Authentication by location is rare, but some companies require it for their software and hardware.
About 2FA
As the name implies, 2FA requires two different forms of authentication to confirm that the user is indeed the claimed identity when attempting to log into the account. The first factor is just their username and password; the second form of authentication can be anything from a security code sent via SMS to security questions. 2FA can use the same category of authentication for both layers, for example, both the first and second layers of authentication can be knowledge factors (password and PIN).
About MFA
On the other hand, MFA requires two or more forms of authentication, with each factor typically belonging to different categories. If the user has already entered a password, a security question cannot be used; instead, they must use a possession factor (such as a mobile app) or an inherence factor (such as a fingerprint). Identifying with a complex proof of multiple forms of authentication can reduce the chances of intrusion.
Conclusion
Users should enable 2FA wherever possible, but if MFA is available on the platform, they should choose it, as it will provide better security. Simple usernames and passwords are no longer able to guarantee security, so using additional layers of protection can prevent others from logging into your account. To make 2FA/MFA more secure, choose authentication of different categories, and use as many authentication methods as possible wherever possible.