What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-factor authentication is a process where you, the account owner, or your client will have to provide two or more proofs that validate your identity when logging into your affiliate startup’s website. Authentication factors may vary according to the specific tools you choose to use, but the standard aspects are:

• Passwords
• A keycard in the possession of the account owner
• Even biometric data such as their fingerprint

Pin numbers and personal questions regarding the user’s identity are also in everyday use, but the latter are sometimes far too easy to figure out as people tend to overshare on their social media platforms. Face recognition, eye, and fingerprint scans are practically impossible to gain access to unless the hacker is in the same room as you and knows you on a certain level.

Some apps allow you to share your location to verify your identity, which could be an excellent option for identification.

What are the Benefits?

The more we dive in, the more apparent it becomes that multi-factor authentication tools are far superior to single-factor authentication processes. Listed below are some of the more prominent advantages characterizing MFA tools you should consider adding to your affiliate startup’s website:

• Industry Compliance at the Forefront. First thing’s first, multi-factor authentication tools are the online industry’s standard for both website owners and clients and are commonly used on websites around the world and in almost every vertical you can think of.

• Avoiding Negligence. Few are those who can honestly say that they have never forgotten the passwords to their web-based accounts, and that becomes especially true the more complex your passwords are.

  Moreover, people tend to use the same password for different accounts or choose ones that are incredibly easy to guess. That means it is an easy task for a hacker to uncover it and hack into several of your accounts.

• No Unauthorized Access. As the process requires more data and steps to log in, cybercriminals have an almost impossible task ahead of them: figuring out exactly which verification factors you chose and what the answers to them may be – especially if you have a keycard on hand.

  The moment the system requires certain possessions for the logging process, almost no hacker would be able to penetrate your affiliate startup’s account even if they managed to get their sticky hands on your credentials.

• A Geographically Flexible Solution. While you could use your location to verify your credentials, MFA apps would not require you to share it to log into your account. This aspect allows you to log into your account even if you are thousands of miles away from where you were initially when you opened your account.

The Best Options on the Market

Now that we have established why multi-factor authentication tools are essential and what makes them so much better than using a single factor process, we can finally dive into the apps that are making waves in this market.

• Duo Security. This Cisco-acquired company is considered a leader in MFA solutions and offers the ability to verify your identity with your phone number or a generated token. The app comes with a user-friendly interface, and it is easy to install and operate. There is also a mobile app, and the starting prices are easy on the pocket.


• Okta. With over 7,000 integrations under its belt and clients such as SAAS titans Zendesk and Slack, Okta is a force to be reckoned with. It offers a wide variety of log-in solutions beyond MFA, but the latter includes innovative aspects such as voice recognition, Apple TouchID, OTP, email, SMS, third party, etc.


• SecureAuth. This MFA solutions provider caters to some big names in the business industry, including Starbucks and Best Buy. The company specializes in global certificates for large retail companies and their employees and remote employees. SecureAuth offers its services in several industries, from healthcare to automobile dealerships.


• LastPass. On top of providing a two-step authentication process, LastPass further provides an all-in-one password-free user experience. From password vaults to autofill passwords, password generators and home administrators are among the company’s industry-leading MFA solutions for your affiliate startup’s website.