Which of the following is an example of Type 2 authentication?

Type 2 authentication, also known as two-factor authentication, involves using two different types of credentials to verify a user's identity. These types can generally fall into categories such as something you know (like a password or PIN) and something you have (like a smart card or a key fob) or something you are (biometric data such as fingerprints).

In this context, a smart card is an example of Type 2 authentication because it represents something you have. It is a physical piece of hardware that must be presented (swiped or tapped) to gain access to a system or secure area, often in combination with another factor like a password or PIN. This combination of both something you possess (the smart card) and something you know (the accompanying PIN or password) forms a strong authentication method, enhancing security significantly.

On the other hand, a password, a fingerprint, and a PIN either represent only one factor or fall into a single category of authentication. Each of these can be useful by themselves, but they do not meet the criteria for Type 2 authentication, which requires the combination of at least two different factors. This distinction is crucial for understanding how multi-factor authentication enhances security.