What is an essential characteristic of Multi-Factor Authentication?

The essential characteristic of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the combination of multiple verification methods. MFA enhances security by requiring users to present two or more distinct forms of verification before granting access to a system or resource. These verification methods typically fall into three categories: something you know (like a password), something you have (like a smartphone or a security token), and something you are (like a fingerprint or other biometric verification). By combining these different factors, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, as it would be much harder for an attacker to compromise multiple forms of authentication simultaneously. This layered security approach addresses vulnerabilities associated with relying only on a single factor, thereby providing a much more robust defense against unauthorized access.