What is a common method of preventing identity theft?

• A. Sharing personal information freely
• B. Using multi-factor authentication
• C. Keeping personal documents visible
• D. Reusing passwords across accounts

Answer: (B)

Using multi-factor authentication is an effective method of preventing identity theft because it adds an additional layer of security beyond just a username and password. This approach requires users to provide more than one form of identification to access their accounts, typically including something they know (like a password) and something they have (such as a mobile device or a hardware token).

This multi-layered security measure significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, even if an attacker manages to obtain the password. By requiring both factors, it makes it more challenging for identity thieves to compromise accounts solely through stolen credentials.

In contrast, sharing personal information freely can expose individuals to greater risks of identity theft, as can keeping personal documents visible or reusing passwords across different accounts, both of which undermine account security.