Two-Factor Authentication: Which Method Is Actually Safest
Not all two-factor authentication methods offer the same protection. Here's how they actually compare.
Two-factor authentication adds a second step beyond a password, but the security of that second step varies significantly depending on which method is used.
Why text message codes are the weakest option
Codes sent by text message are better than no second factor at all, but they remain vulnerable to SIM swapping attacks, where an attacker convinces a carrier to transfer a phone number to a device they control, intercepting the codes.
The stronger alternatives
Authenticator apps that generate codes directly on your device, and physical security keys that must be plugged in or tapped to confirm a login, both avoid the SIM-swapping risk entirely and are considered meaningfully more secure options for anyone able to use them.