What is multifactor authentication?

The security and trust level of an authentication solution depends on the number of factors required for successful identification. An authentication solution capable of withstanding any type of identity fraud should consist of a combination of these factors:

What you know:

A static username, password or PIN.

What you have:

A unique possession, such as a hardware token, mobile device, or smartcard.

What you are:

A unique biological characteristic, such as a fingerprint, iris pattern or facial features.