This system provides a secondary layer of security for a Battle.net account, typically involving a smartphone application. It generates a time-sensitive, unique code that must be entered in addition to the account password when logging in. For example, upon attempting to access a Battle.net account, the system prompts for both the standard password and the code generated by the application on the user’s mobile device.
The importance of this security measure stems from its ability to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized account access. It mitigates threats posed by compromised passwords, phishing attempts, and keylogging software. Historically, the introduction of these systems marked a turning point in user account security, moving beyond single-factor authentication and offering robust protection against malicious actors. It has become a standard practice across many online platforms due to its effectiveness.