What two elements must multifactor authentication include?

Multifactor authentication (MFA) aims to enhance security by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access. The most commonly recognized elements of MFA typically include three categories: something you know, something you have, and something you are.

The correct combination in this case is "something you know" (like a password or PIN) and "something you have" (such as a smart card, security token, or a mobile device that generates a time-based one-time password). This combination effectively strengthens security by ensuring that even if one factor (like a password) is compromised, an unauthorized user would additionally need physical access to the second factor (such as a mobile device) to gain access.

Other combinations presented in the choices do not align with the standard definitions of MFA elements. For instance, the notion of something you share and something you download does not provide adequate protection against unauthorized access; these do not constitute independent verification methods needed for MFA to be effective. Similarly, the other combinations fail to incorporate the critical aspects of identity validation that MFA seeks to safeguard, which makes the chosen elements essential for robust security practices.