What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security method that enhances the protection of user accounts by requiring two or more verification methods to gain access. This approach combines different types of credentials: something you know (like a password), something you have (such as a smartphone or hardware token), and something you are (like a fingerprint or biometric data). By necessitating multiple factors for authentication, MFA significantly increases the security of user accounts, making it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access, even if they have one factor, such as a password.

The other options do not accurately define MFA. For instance, relying solely on a password does not provide the layered security that MFA offers. A process for resetting forgotten passwords addresses account recovery but does not involve multiple factors of authentication. Similarly, data encryption is a different security practice focused on protecting data confidentiality, rather than verifying user identities. Thus, the definition provided by the correct answer encapsulates the key principles of multi-factor authentication effectively.