You might see both terms, but they effectively mean the same thing. This used to be called two-factor authentication (2FA), but with new options emerging all the time, it has been dubbed multi-factor authentication (MFA) (Opens in a new tab). To prevent that, security experts now recommend mixing multiple factors. The problem is that if a bad guy gets ahold of your username and password, they can log in as if they were you and take over your account. Typical username and password login schemes employ just one factor - something you know. Something you have, like a smart device or a hardware security key. Something you are, like a biometric attribute such as your fingerprint. The current thinking on authentication holds that there are three factors you can use to verify your identity: Here are a few tips (Opens in a new tab) on how to set it up on Apple devices, courtesy of PCMag's Max Eddy. Setting up security keys can be critical.

But first, it's important to understand what multi-factor authentication is and why using a security key is one of the best ways to keep your accounts safe.

We're here to show you how to use a security key to protect your Apple ID. Given how much your Apple ID matters, it's important to keep it safe from account takeovers (Opens in a new tab), and one of the best ways to do that is with a hardware security key (Opens in a new tab).

It grants access to the App Store, FaceTime, Find My, iCloud, and Messages. An Apple ID is a critical piece of information for anyone with an Apple device, be it a laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet.

How to get the apple id