What best describes multifactor authentication?

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is defined as a security system that requires more than one form of verification to gain access to a resource. This typically involves combining two or more different types of authentication factors, such as something you know (like a password), something you have (like a smartphone or security token), and something you are (like a fingerprint or facial recognition). By requiring multiple factors for authentication, MFA enhances security significantly, as it makes it much more difficult for unauthorized users to gain access even if one authentication factor is compromised.

The other options do not encapsulate the concept of multifactor authentication accurately. For instance, a single form of verification would not qualify as multifactor since it does not employ multiple methods. Similarly, a system using multiple passwords refers to a singular factor that is repeated and does not align with the multifactor requirement. Lastly, methods based solely on biometrics do not encompass the diverse range of authentication methods utilized in MFA, which typically integrates multiple types of factors beyond just biometrics.