What is VCU 2Factor Authentication?
In the cybersecurity field, three factors can be used to identify an individual to a computer system. These factors include:
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Something you know (e.g., a user name, password, answer to a question)
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Something you have (e.g., a phone, an ID card, or a hardware token)
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Something you are (e.g., your fingerprint, retina/iris scan, or voice print)
Traditionally, the username and password model rely only on something you know, this is considered a single-factor authentication. The weakness with single-factor authentication using something you know is the fact that an adversary can usually find ways to steal this information, thus allowing the adversary to masquerade as the victim.
VCU 2Factor Authentication helps drastically reduce the use of stolen usernames and passwords. In addition to the username and password, VCU 2Factor relies on one or more other factors in proving and securing a user's identity.