Unlike smartphones, they have the advantage of being single-purpose and security-hardened devices. These devices produce codes that are transmitted via NFC, Bluetooth, or when you plug them in directly to a USB port. In a security win for Google’s mobile OS, Android prevents anyone from taking screenshots while you have an authenticator app open, whereas iOS allows them.įor even more thorough security, you could implement MFA with a dedicated device, such as YubiKey. Authy, Duo Mobile, LastPass Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator offer this, while Google Authenticator does not. Something to look for when choosing one of these apps is whether it backs up the account info (encrypted, of course) in case you no longer have the phone you set everything up on. Since the protocol used by these products is usually based on the same standard, you can mix and match brands, for example, using Microsoft Authenticator to get into your Google Account or vice versa. You don’t even need phone service for them to work. These apps don’t have any access to your accounts, and after the initial code transfer, they don’t communicate with the site they simply and dumbly generate codes. The codes are generated by doing some math on a long code transmitted by that QR scan and the current time, using a standard HMAC-Based One-Time Password (HOTP) algorithm, sanctioned by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The time limit means that if a malefactor manages to get your one-time passcode, it won’t work for them after that 30 seconds. Once you set up MFA, every time you want to log in to a site, you enter the code into the secured app or site's login page, and voilà, you’re in. These codes work in place of a MFA code on your phone, which means they let you still log in to the site if your phone is lost, stolen, or busted.Īuthenticator apps generate time-based, one-time passcodes (TOTP or OTP), which are usually six digits that refresh every 30 seconds. You should also save account recovery codes provided by the sites, and store them somewhere safe, such as in a password manager. Note that you can scan the code to more than one phone, if you want a backup. Setting up MFA usually involves scanning a QR code on the site with your phone's authenticator app. Most sites offer the simple SMS code option, but go past that and look for the authenticator app support. To set up the authentication, you go to the site’s security settings page and look for the multi-factor or two-factor authentication section. An authenticator app on your smartphone generates codes that never travel through your mobile network, so there's less potential for exposure and compromise. A vulnerability in SMS messaging is that crooks can reroute text messages (Opens in a new window). However, getting codes by phone turns out not to be the best way to do MFA. Yes, you can implement MFA simply by having your banking site send you a text message with a code that you enter into the site to gain access. What's the Best Kind of Multi-Factor Authentication? When you use one of the authenticator apps included here, you bolster the password you know with the token, smartphone, or smartwatch that you have. Experts classify authentication factors in three groups: something you know (a password, for example), something you have (a physical object), and something you are (a fingerprint or other biometric trait). MFA means you add another factor in addition to that password. Using one of these apps can even help protect you against stealthy attacks like stalkerware.Īs the name implies, MFA means you use more than one type of authentication to unlock an online account or app. Authenticator apps, such as Authy, Google Authenticator, or Microsoft Authenticator, enable one of the more-secure forms of MFA. Our security team at PCMag frequently exhorts our audience to use it. Multi-factor authentication (MFA, also known as two-factor or 2FA) adds another layer of protection. Leaks and hacks we’ve read about in recent years make it clear that passwords alone don't provide enough security to protect your online bank account or social media accounts. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
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