Final answer:
Two-step verification is a security process that requires users to provide two different authentication factors to verify their identity, enhancing the security beyond just a username and password. It often uses a code sent to the user's phone, a biometric factor, or a code-generating app.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two-step verification, sometimes referred to as two-factor authentication, is a security process in which the user provides two different authentication factors to verify themselves. This method adds an additional layer of security to the standard password method of online identification. The first step usually requires the user to enter their username and password. In the second step, the user must provide another piece of information that only they should have access to or be able to generate. This could be a numeric code sent to the user's mobile phone via text message, a key fob, an app that generates a code, or even a biometric factor such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.
The two-step verification process is an important security measure that can significantly reduce the incidents of online breaches, as obtaining the second factor would require an attacker to have physical access to a user's mobile device or personal information. By requiring a second form of identification, two-step verification makes it harder for potential intruders to gain access to an individual's devices or online accounts because knowing the victim's password alone is not enough to pass the authentication check.