What does MFA stand for and why is it more secure than passwords alone?

What does MFA stand for and why is it more secure than passwords alone?

• A. It replaces passwords with a single biometric.
• B. It is a data backup strategy.
• C. Multi-factor authentication requires multiple verification methods; it reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
• D. It is a firewall that blocks all remote logins.

Answer: (C)

Multi-factor authentication stands for MFA, and it strengthens security by requiring at least two verification methods from different categories. Typically you combine something you know (a password) with something you have (a code from an authenticator app or a hardware key) or something you are (a biometric). Because these factors come from separate groups, an attacker who steals a password still needs the second factor to gain access, which greatly reduces the chance of unauthorized entry. That layered approach is why MFA offers more protection than passwords alone. The other options describe single-factor methods, unrelated backup strategies, or network controls, none of which provide the same multi-step verification that MFA delivers.

Multi-factor authentication stands for MFA, and it strengthens security by requiring at least two verification methods from different categories. Typically you combine something you know (a password) with something you have (a code from an authenticator app or a hardware key) or something you are (a biometric). Because these factors come from separate groups, an attacker who steals a password still needs the second factor to gain access, which greatly reduces the chance of unauthorized entry. That layered approach is why MFA offers more protection than passwords alone. The other options describe single-factor methods, unrelated backup strategies, or network controls, none of which provide the same multi-step verification that MFA delivers.