two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is a two-step verification process of confirming a user's  identity by utilizing something they know (usually a password) AND a second factor (usually a code sent via text message).

Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to the authentication process by making it harder for attackers to gain access to a person's devices or online accounts, because knowing the victim's password alone is not enough to pass the authentication check.

Historical perspective: The best way to secure your email is to turn on "two-factor." Sending a text message code or phone prompt in addition to a password in nearly every case prevents automated hacking attempts according to TechCrunch.com. Research released by Google in May 2019 showed that having a text message sent to your phone to confirm any suspicious login prevented 100% of automated bot attacks that use stolen lists of passwords and 96% of attempts to steal passwords. For cybersecurity experts, the simple precaution ranks as more important than using unique or strong passwords. Two-factor authentication did not prevent targeted attacks from professional hackers trying to breach your account, but just one in a million users faces targeted attackers.