Multifactor Authentication Protocol in a Mobile Environment (2024)

FAQs

What is multifactor security how it is achieved in mobile environment? ›

Multi-factor authentication works by requesting multiple forms of ID from the user at the time of account registration. The system stores this ID and user information to verify the user for next login. The login is a multi-step process that verifies the other ID information along with the password.

How Does MFA work? MFA works by requiring additional verification information (factors). One of the most common MFA factors that users encounter are one-time passwords (OTP). OTPs are those 4-8 digit codes that you often receive via email, SMS or some sort of mobile app.

MFA Enables Stronger Authentication

With MFA, it's about granting access based on multiple weighted factors, thereby reducing the risks of compromised passwords. It adds another layer of protection from the kinds of damaging attacks that cost organizations millions.

Multi-factor authentication can be performed using a single authenticator that provides more than one factor or by a combination of authenticators that provide different factors. The three authentication factors are something you know, something you have, and something you are.

SMS 2FA. SMS two-factor authentication validates the identity of a user by texting a security code to their mobile device. The user then enters the code into the website or application to which they're authenticating.

Mobile biometric authentication enables customers to use a unique physical feature to access their accounts and data. Commonly used biometric factors include fingerprints, facial scans, and voice recognition. Biometrics is convenient for customers since they make login fast and easy, and there's nothing to remember.

As an example of multi-factor authentication, imagine you are at an ATM so that you can withdraw money from your bank account. Your debit card (something you have) is one authentication factor. However, to access your account, you also need to enter the PIN that is associated with your debit card.

Where should MFA be implemented? ›

Implementing MFA across all end and privileged users, cloud and on-premise applications, VPN, server login, and privilege elevation helps protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and password-based cyber-attacks.

MFA has three main categories: hardware token authentication, code-based authentication, and push-based authentication. Hardware token authentication uses FIDO or U2F authentication and is currently the strongest form of MFA.

While both passwordless authentication and MFA increase your account's security, passwordless authentication is considered to be more secure because it removes the use of passwords altogether.

MFA allows a user to use more than one type of authentication method, whereas 2FA only allows you to add one type of authentication factor on top of your username and password. Because you can implement several types of authentication factors with MFA, it makes it a more secure solution to 2FA.

Multifactor authentication combines two or more independent credentials -- what the user knows, such as a password; what the user has, such as a security token; and what the user is, by using biometric verification methods.

Multi-factor authentication is a method of account security that ensures only legitimate users can access accounts and applications. This is achieved by requiring that they provide at least two factors to verify their identity.