What does two-factor authentication enhance?

Two-factor authentication enhances security by requiring two forms of verification before granting access to a system or account. This additional layer of security ensures that even if one form of authentication, such as a password, is compromised, an unauthorized user would still need the second form of verification—often something that the user possesses, like a mobile device or hardware token, or something inherent to them, like a fingerprint or facial recognition.

This dual requirement significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access because it adds another hurdle for potential intruders. They cannot simply rely on knowledge of a password; they must also have access to the second factor. This is particularly important in safeguarding sensitive information and protecting against various threats such as phishing attacks and credential theft.

The other choices don't align with the purpose of two-factor authentication. Enhancing system speed and performance, user access without additional steps, and data storage capacity are not objectives of implementing two-factor authentication. Instead, two-factor authentication strictly focuses on strengthening security through layered verification.