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What's the best way to implement multi-factor authentication for a web app?
Asked on Dec 03, 2025
Answer
Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) in a web app enhances security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors. The best approach is to combine something the user knows (like a password) with something the user has (such as a mobile device for receiving a one-time code).
Example Concept: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) involves using multiple forms of verification to confirm a user's identity. Common methods include combining a password with a time-based one-time password (TOTP) sent to a user's mobile device or generated by an authenticator app. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.
Additional Comment:
- Implement TOTP using libraries like Google Authenticator or Authy for generating time-based codes.
- Consider using SMS or email as a backup method, but be aware of their potential vulnerabilities to interception.
- Ensure that your MFA implementation is user-friendly to avoid deterring legitimate users.
✅ Answered with Security best practices.
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