Two Factor Authentication, also known as 2FA, is an extra layer of security that requires not only a password and username but also something that only that user has on them, i.e. a piece of information only they should know or have immediately to hand - such as a physical token.

Using a username and password together with a piece of information that only the user knows makes it harder for potential intruders to gain access and steal that person's personal data or identity.

Many people probably do not know this type of security process is called Two Factor Authentication and likely do not even think about it when using hardware tokens, issued by their bank to use with their card and a Personal Identification Number when looking to complete Internet Banking transactions. Simply they are utilising the benefits of this type of multi factor Authentication - i.e. "what they have" AND "what they know".

Using a Two Factor Authentication process can help to lower the number of cases of identity theft on the Internet, as well as phishing via email, because the criminal would need more than just the users name and password details.

The downside to this security process is that new hardware tokens (in the form of key fobs or card readers) need to be ordered, then issued and this can cause slowdowns and problems for a company's customers wanting and waiting to gain access to their own private data via this authentication procedure. The tokens are also usually small and easily lost so causing more problems for everyone when customers call in requesting new ones.

Mii-VAULT resolves this problem with Two Factor Authentication by utilising mobile phone technology and the Google Authentication app which generates a code which is in sync with our Mii-VAULT website. With over 5 billion mobile phones in use, turning a phone into an authentication device quickly solves the need and additional cost and delays of sending out hardware tokens.

If you go to your profile at Mii-VAULT you have the option to use Two Factor Authentication or not. Simply download the Google app to your phone and then scan in the bar code and you are all set. See "How do I set up my Two Factor Authentication" for more information on how to set this up.