What Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security protocol that requires multiple authentication elements from separate categories to validate a user's identity during logins or transactions. MFA integrates two or more credentials: "knowledge" (like a password), "possession" (such as a security token), and "inherence" (biometric verification). Doing so, it mitigates the risks posed by compromised passwords or single-factor authentication.