What is two-factor authentication?

2FA (two-factor authentication) is the IT term for the process of dual authorization within an app or desktop application to perform a specific action. The first authorization generally consists of a login process to actually start using the account. The second factor comes into play when special security-relevant actions are performed. This, for example, involves triggering the sending of an SMS or email. The content of the message is an individual code that is only valid for the intended action for a short time. This code must then be entered in the app to confirm the action.

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