It was updated to improve the reader experience.Telegram Messenger is a globally accessible freemium, cross-platform, encrypted, cloud-based and centralized instant messaging (IM) service. Today, multifactor authentication is touted as more secure than two-step verification and 2FA.Įditor's note: This article was originally written by Ivy Wigmore. Many other user authentication systems described as two-step verification also qualify as 2FA. Google's 2-Step Verification service, for example, involves a username and password as well as a code sent to the user's device.

Many two-step verification products and services are also 2FA. Authentication is an adaptation of verification processes designed to protect access to data and systems. Verification can be part of a real-world process, such as providing a driver's license as proof of identity. Meanwhile, 2FA methods must be two distinct methods - for example, a username and password as well as a facial recognition.įurthermore, verification and authentication are not completely synonymous. Two-step verification methods include any combination of two knowledge, possession and inherence factors, including repeated factors. Unlike two-step verification, two-factor authentication involves two distinct categories of credentials. Other factors, such as time or location, can also be used.

Inherence factors - something you are, including biometrics such as fingerprint or iris scans.

Possession factors - something you have, such as a smart card or security token.

Knowledge factors - something you know, such as a username and password.

The difference between the two is that the sequential methods in two-step verification can belong to the same category of authentication factors, while the methods used for 2FA aren't necessarily sequential and aren't the same factor.Īuthentication factors include the following: Both involve two steps used for verification. Many people use the terms two-step verification and two-factor authentication ( 2FA) interchangeably. Two-step verification is a process that involves two authentication steps performed one after the other to verify that someone or something requesting access is who or what they say they are.

Two step verification in telegram