When protecting your online accounts from unauthorized access, multi-factor authentication is the most effective form of authentication.

It combines various factors, such as something you know (such as a password) with something you have (such as a device), to ensure that only authorized users can access your account.

We’ll show you how multi-factor authentication, including passwordless login, works and how it can help protect your online accounts from unauthorized access.

Why is MFA more Secure than Single-Factor Authentication?

With MFA, no two authenticators are alike, meaning if a cybercriminal gets hold of your password, they can’t log in to your account.

For example, if you use your mobile phone as an authenticator and lose your phone, that won’t compromise your online accounts because those accounts were not connected to it.

With SFA, however, losing your authenticator means losing access to all of your online accounts. That’s why multi-factor authentication is more secure than single-factor authentication.

Key Differences Between MFA And SFA

There are several key differences between multi-factor authentication and Single-factor authentication. Knowing these differences will help you understand which option would be more appropriate for your business.

The most important difference is that multi-factor authentication requires two out of three factors while single-factor authentication only requires one. However, each method has different delivery methods: With a text message, you enter a code or simply use your phone to scan a QR code when logging in.

The second difference is that multi-factor authentication requires an additional authentication factor for each separate application, while single-factor authentication only requires one. For example, if you have a work account and a personal account that requires single-factor authentication, you would need to use two different delivery methods for each.

However, with multi-factor authentication, you could use text messages for both accounts since they are separate applications.

The third difference is that multi-factor authentication requires all your devices to be protected with two-factor authentication, while single-factor authentication only requires one. This means that if you have a desktop computer and a laptop, both would need to be protected with two-factor authentication

The fourth difference is that multi-factor authentication requires a backup method of authentication, while single-factor authentication does not. If you use multi-factor authentication and lose your phone, you must use a backup authentication method to log in.

However, if you use single-factor authentication and lose your phone, you would not need to use a backup authentication method.

The Benefits Of Multi-Factor Authentication

1. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to login protocols by requiring users to prove their identity through a combination of two or more different methods. The added protection makes it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to accounts protected with MFA.
2. With single-factor authentication, a user must enter a password to log in to an account, which can be compromised by hackers who may gain access to that password through phishing scams or other methods. With multi-factor authentication, users must enter their password and prove their identity with another method—typically by entering a code that’s sent via text message or generated by an app on their smartphone.
3. Multi-factor authentication can also be used in conjunction with other security measures to provide an extra layer of protection. For example, multi-factor authentication can be used with a password manager, which generates strong passwords for every account you have and then stores them in an encrypted vault. In addition to using a strong password, you’ll also need your second factor of authentication (typically a text message or code generated by an app on your smartphone) to log into your account
4. It’s a good idea to use multi-factor authentication for any account that contains sensitive information, such as your email or social media accounts, your bank account, and any other accounts where you would be devastated if someone gained access to them.

How Multi-Factor Authentication is More Secure Than Single-Factor Authentication: Final Thoughts

Multi-factor authentication is more secure than single-factor authentication. With multi-factor authentication, you use two or more authentication methods to verify your identity, which makes for a stronger password. To set up multi-factor authentication on your device or application, follow our guide and check out our infographic!