Explain the concept of multi-factor authentication.

Explain the concept of multi-factor authentication.

Multi-factor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide multiple forms of identification or credentials to verify their identity. It adds an extra layer of protection by combining two or more factors, such as something the user knows (password), something the user has (smart card or token), or something the user is (biometric data like fingerprint or facial recognition). This approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access as it becomes more difficult for attackers to bypass multiple authentication factors.