Modern account security moves beyond passwords alone by requiring a second proof of identity or removing passwords entirely. Both approaches reduce the risk that stolen credentials compromise an account, though neither eliminates all threats.
Published September 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Two-factor authentication requires a second proof of identity beyond a password, such as a one-time code, reducing the risk that a stolen or guessed password alone is enough to access an account. Even if someone learns your password through a phishing site or a data breach at another service, they cannot log in without also having access to your second factor. The second factor is typically something you have (a device generating codes) rather than something you know (a password).
Passwordless login, such as signing in through a linked Telegram or Google account with server-side verification, removes the password as an attack target entirely, since there is no password to steal or guess in the first place. Instead of creating and remembering a password for each service, you authenticate through an existing account that already has strong security measures. This shifts the authentication burden to a provider that specializes in account security, rather than relying on users to create and protect unique passwords for every service.
Both approaches reduce the impact of a password being reused across multiple services, a common way accounts get compromised when one unrelated service suffers a data breach. If you use the same password on ten sites and one of those sites is breached, attackers will try that password on the other nine. Two-factor authentication means the stolen password alone is not enough, while passwordless login means there is no password to reuse in the first place. Nexus Pay supports passwordless login through Telegram and Google, reducing reliance on passwords.
No login method fully protects an account if the device itself is compromised, for example by malware, or if the user is tricked into approving a fraudulent login attempt, so login security and device security are separate, complementary concerns. A one-time code sent to a device infected with malware can be intercepted, and a user who approves a passwordless login request without checking the details might authorize an attacker. Strong login security reduces one category of risk but does not replace the need for device security, careful verification of login prompts, and awareness of social engineering tactics.
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