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What is multifactor authentication (MFA)?

Passwords alone aren’t enough. Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds extra layers of security, helping protect your accounts and data from identity-based attacks.
Discover Microsoft Entra ID MFA

Passwords alone are no longer enough.

As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, protecting your accounts and data requires more than a single line of defense. Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds the extra layers needed to keep identities secure—blocking attackers, reducing risk, and helping businesses stay resilient in a world where threats never stop evolving.

Key takeaways

  • MFA adds layers of security beyond passwords, combining factors such as knowledge, devices, and biometrics.
  • It protects against common attacks such as phishing, credential stuffing, and brute force.
  • MFA can be flexible and adaptive, adjusting prompts based on risk, role, or location.
  • Microsoft makes MFA easier to adopt, with simple tools such as Microsoft Authenticator, which is a part of Entra ID MFA.

Defining multifactor authentication

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires more than one form of verification to confirm your identity. Instead of relying only on a password, MFA combines multiple factors to add extra layers of protection.

MFA can use three different types of authentication:
 
  • Something you know—a password, passkey, PIN, or security question.
  • Something you have—a mobile device, smart card, or hardware token.
  • Something you are—biometrics such as a fingerprint, a face scan, or voice recognition.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a subset of MFA, while MFA isn’t limited to just two steps. Organizations can require three or more factors for stronger protection.
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What is MFA?

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Why is MFA important?

Today, password protection isn’t enough to safeguard your data. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to steal passwords, and identity-based attacks are on the rise. MFA dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.

With MFA, you can protect against:
 
  • Phishing attacks—tricking users into revealing passwords.
  • Credential stuffing—attackers using stolen passwords from other breaches.
  • Brute-force attacks—repeated attempts to guess login security details.
MFA also plays a critical role in Zero Trust security models and helps organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements in industries where strong data protection and identity access management (IAM) are essential.

How does MFA work?

When you sign in, MFA prompts you to verify your identity with more than just a password. Here's an example of a typical login flow:
 
  1. Enter your username and password.
  2. Provide a second factor, such as approving a push notification, entering a one-time passcode, or using a biometric scan.
Common verification methods include:
 
  • Authenticator apps that generate or approve codes.
  • SMS or voice call one-time passcodes.
  • Biometric options like fingerprints or face recognition.
  • Hardware tokens or smart cards.
     
Adaptive authentication adds another layer of intelligence. It can evaluate risk factors (such as your location, device, or login behavior) and decide when to require additional verification. Passwordless authentication with Passkeys is also becoming increasingly popular. Passkeys are FIDO credentials that are discoverable by browsers or housed within native applications or security keys for passwordless authentication. Passkeys replace passwords with cryptographic key pairs for phishing-resistant sign-in security and an improved user experience.

With Microsoft, you can enable passwordless, phishing-resistant MFA through Microsoft Authenticator, then integrate it seamlessly with Microsoft Entra ID to protect users and data across your organization.

What is required to set up MFA?

To use MFA, you need a primary credential—such as a username and password—plus at least one additional factor. Setting up MFA typically involves:
 
  • User enrollment—registering a device, biometric, or authenticator app.
  • Device registration—pairing trusted devices for verification.
  • Policy enforcement—customizing MFA rules based on role, risk, or location.
This flexibility allows businesses to strengthen security without making sign-ins unnecessarily difficult for users.

MFA vs. 2FA: What's the difference?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a type of multifactor authentication, but it’s limited to just two verification steps. MFA, on the other hand, can require two or more factors, offering greater flexibility and protection.

For example:
 
  • 2FA might require a password + SMS code.
  • MFA might require a password + phone notification + fingerprint.
While many consumer apps rely on 2FA, organizations often need broader MFA setups to address higher risks and compliance requirements. The more factors you combine, the harder it is for attackers to break through.

Real examples of MFA

Multifactor authentication in everyday life
Picture a typical day: You start your morning by checking your email in Microsoft 365, where a quick tap on your phone approves the login. Later, before joining a secure company network, you slide in a smart card and scan your fingerprint. At lunch, you transfer funds through your banking app—this time confirming your identity with a PIN and a glance at your phone camera.

These moments are all powered by multifactor authentication. MFA adapts to the context, giving you effective protection whether you’re working, connecting remotely, or managing personal finances.

MFA best practices

Making MFA work for you
Enable MFA everywhere it matters

Start with your most critical accounts—email, financial systems, and business applications. These are prime targets for attackers, and adding MFA dramatically lowers the risk of compromise.

Choose methods that are stronger than SMS

While text message codes are better than no MFA at all, they can be intercepted. Authenticator apps, push notifications, and biometrics offer stronger, more reliable protection.

Plan for recovery and backup

Devices get lost and phones get replaced. Setting up backup factors, such as a secondary device or recovery codes, helps ensure users don’t get locked out when something goes wrong.

Make MFA as easy to use as possible

The smoother the process, the more likely users will stick with it. Streamlined options like push approvals or biometrics can reduce frustration and boost adoption.

Support with training and policy

Technology alone isn’t enough. Educating users about why MFA matters, and enforcing consistent policies across the organization, helps make security a shared responsibility.

MFA solutions from Microsoft Security

Simplify MFA with Microsoft
Microsoft makes it easy to strengthen security without adding friction.
 
  • Stronger protection at scale—safeguard users and data across your organization with enterprise-grade identity security solution, Microsoft Entra ID.
  • Fast, seamless sign-ins—approve access in seconds with simple, mobile-friendly options like Microsoft Authenticator.
  • Smarter, adaptive security—only get prompted when risk is detected, reducing interruptions for trusted logins.
With Microsoft, you get MFA that’s both powerful and easy to use—built to fit the way you work.
RESOURCES

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Microsoft Entra ID MFA

Enterprise-ready MFA that scales with your business, giving you flexible protection across apps, users, and devices.
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Documentation

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Dive deeper with technical guidance on setup, authentication methods, and best practices in Microsoft Entra.
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Frequently asked questions

  • Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a security method that requires more than one form of verification to prove your identity.

    Instead of relying only on a password, MFA combines factors like something you know (a password or PIN), something you have (a phone or token), and something you are (a fingerprint or face scan) to add extra layers of protection.
  • Passwords are often stolen or guessed, making them a common target for attackers. MFA adds a second (or third) layer of security, making it much harder for unauthorized users to access accounts—even if they know your password. This reduces the risk of phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks while also helping organizations meet compliance and strengthen overall cybersecurity.
  • To use MFA, you need a primary login credential (such as a username and password) plus at least one additional factor. This could be a mobile device registered with an authenticator app, a biometric identifier such as a fingerprint, or a hardware token.

    Organizations may also set policies that define when and how MFA is required, often based on user role, device, or risk level.
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a type of multifactor authentication (MFA) that uses exactly two steps—like a password plus a text message code. MFA goes further by requiring two or more factors, which could include biometrics or additional devices.

    All 2FA is MFA, but MFA isn’t limited to just two steps. MFA offers more flexibility and stronger protection for sensitive accounts and systems.
  • A common example of MFA is signing in to Microsoft 365: You enter your password, then approve the sign-in with a tap in the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone.

    Other examples include using a smart card and fingerprint to connect to a corporate VPN, or entering a PIN and then scanning your face to access a banking app. Each case uses multiple factors to confirm your identity.

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