What is two-factor authentication?
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Two-factor authentication (2FA) increases the security of your IONOS account. Access is only possible after entering two different login credentials (factors). This article gives you a general overview.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-step login, also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA, is an additional security procedure when logging in to a product or service. Instead of requesting login information only once, two independent factors are requested.
Typical factors are:
- Something you know, e.g. your password
- Something you have, e.g. your smartphone, a security token, or a USB key
You will only be granted access to the product or service if both factors are correct.
Why is 2FA important?
Without a two-factor authentication set up, attackers often need only
- a stolen or guessed password
- a password that you have already used elsewhere
With two-factor authentication, even if someone knows your password, they cannot log in without the second factor. The products or services you use are much better protected.
How does two-factor authentication work in practice?
A typical login process with 2FA looks like this:
- You enter your username and password.
- The second factor is requested, e.g. a code via app (authenticator app) or text message, a confirmation request in an app, or the insertion or tapping of a hardware security key.
- The login is only successful once the second factor has been entered.
Using 2FA with IONOS
At IONOS you have two options for using two-factor authentication:
Authenticator app (TOTP): Generates one-time, time-limited passwords. There are various providers in the iOS and Android app markets. Read more in the Help Centre article "Using an authenticator app (TOTP) for two-factor authentication".
IONOS Mobile App: The app for IONOS customers also offers two-factor authentication. Read more in the Help Centre article "Using the IONOS Mobile App for two-factor authentication". You can read about the other advantages of the IONOS Mobile App on the product page IONOS Mobile App.