What It Is
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, asks for two different kinds of proof when you log in: something you know, like a password, and something you have, like your phone. After entering your password, you type a short code from an authenticator app or approve a prompt. It is similar to a bank card that needs both the physical card and a PIN. One alone is not enough.
Why It Matters for Your Business
Passwords leak all the time through data breaches on other websites, and many people reuse them. With 2FA turned on, a stolen password by itself will not get an attacker into your website, email, domain registrar or hosting account. For a business owner, the domain registrar and email accounts are the most important to protect, because whoever controls those can reset nearly everything else.
Good to Know
Authenticator apps and hardware security keys are safer than text-message codes, which can be intercepted through SIM-swap scams. When you set up 2FA, save the backup codes somewhere safe, such as a password manager. Losing your phone without backup codes can lock you out of your own accounts for days while you prove who you are.