Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication is an online account security protocol that adds an extra step to the login process to ensure the right person is accessing an account. MFA usually involves a code being sent to a smartphone or email address after the username and password have been entered to verify the legitimacy of the account login attempt. This provides an extra layer of security in addition to just a password by combining something you know (your username and password) with something you have (a smartphone, for example) to verify the login.

Taking this extra time to safeguard your most important accounts can save you big time if a data breach were to ever happen, or if your login credentials ever got into the wrong hands. It's recommended to use MFA for sensitive accounts like your email and online banking to lock them down and make sure that someone can't get access even if they know your password.

Keeping your email account(s) secure is important because it can often be the gateway to access your other online accounts, or even send out scam attempts posing as you. If someone gets ahold of your email password and can log into your account, they can reset the passwords of other accounts that use your email address, send out fraudulent messages under your name, and more. So, locking down your email and online banking accounts with MFA is a great way to add some extra security for your most sensitive personal information.