Why do I need Two-Factor authentication?

Modified on Tue, 1 Apr at 5:32 PM

Why do I need Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

At DocuGuardian, we know that you're trusting us with some of the most important and sensitive information in your life — from legal and financial documents to personal wishes and family memories. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

That’s why we’ve built our platform with security at the core, and one of the ways we protect your information is by requiring Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all members.

Each time you log in, you must enter a verification code from an authenticator app on your phone or a code sent to your email.

This extra step ensures that only you can access your important and sensitive documents, adding an additional layer of protection to keep your data secure.

What is 2FA?

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a security process in which a user provides two different authentication factors to verify their identity. This method adds an extra layer of security to the standard username and password model.

Instead of only asking for a password, 2FA requires a second piece of information — something that only the legitimate user has access to. This drastically reduces the chances of unauthorized access, even if the password is compromised.

Why is 2FA Important?

Passwords can be:

Guessed (especially if weak)
Stolen (through phishing or data breaches)
Reused across multiple sites (which is risky)

2FA helps solve this problem by adding a second barrier. Even if someone steals your password, they still need the second factor to access your account.

The Two “Factors” in 2FA

Typically, the two factors fall into different categories:

Something You Know – your password or PIN.
Something You Have – a physical device (like your phone or a security key)
Something You Are – biometric data (like a fingerprint or face scan)

Most common 2FA setups use:

A password (something you know)
Plus a one-time code sent to or generated on your phone (something you have)

Here are the most common second factors used in 2FA:

SMS Codes: A one-time code sent to your phone via text message.
Email Codes: A code sent to your email address.
Authenticator Apps: Apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator generate rotating 6-digit codes every 30 seconds.
Push Notifications: An app sends a login approval request to your phone. You approve or deny it.
Hardware Tokens: A USB device like a YubiKey that you plug into your computer.
Biometrics: Fingerprint, face ID, or retina scans used in combination with a password.

Benefits of 2FA

Enhanced Security – Reduces risk from stolen or weak passwords.
Protection Against Phishing – Even if you accidentally give away your password, a hacker still can’t log in without the second factor.

Peace of Mind – You know your sensitive accounts (email, financial, business) are much more secure.