Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) uses what to validate identity?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) employs two or more distinct factors to validate an individual's identity, significantly enhancing security. The core principle of MFA is that it requires the user to provide multiple pieces of evidence (or "factors") to ensure that they are who they claim to be.

These factors typically fall into three categories:

1. Something you know (e.g., a password or PIN)

2. Something you have (e.g., a smartphone or hardware token)

3. Something you are (e.g., biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition)

By requiring multiple factors from different categories, MFA reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, as it would be challenging for an unauthorized user to simultaneously possess all required elements.

Using just one factor, like a password or a PIN, does not meet the requirements for MFA and leaves systems more vulnerable to attacks, such as phishing or password guessing. Digital signatures and PINs alone also do not encompass the broad approach of MFA, which seeks to utilize various verification methods to strengthen security protocols.