How does multi-factor authentication enhance security?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances security by incorporating an additional verification method beyond just a username and password. This added layer of security requires users to present two or more verification factors to gain access to an account, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult.

For example, after entering a password, a user might also need to provide a one-time code sent to their mobile device or authenticate through a biometric scan, such as a fingerprint. This means that even if a hacker were to obtain the user's password, they would still need the other factors to successfully access the account, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches.

The other choices do not effectively capture the security improvement that MFA provides. Frequent password updates can improve security but do not provide the same multi-layer defense that MFA does. Simplifying user access to multiple accounts is not a direct benefit of MFA; rather, it often adds steps in the authentication process. Lastly, relying on a single method for authentication undermines security, as it presents a single point of failure that can be exploited by attackers.