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Everything from social media accounts to cryptocurrency wallets are at risk, especially for those who use their phone number to receive authentication. In fact, there’s a very good reason why you shouldn’t use your number for 2FA on crypto accounts. Whether you’re worried about phishing scams snooping around for your password or don’t want to risk a malware attack, read on to discover the best authenticator apps to stay secure online.
What is two-factor authentication?
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a digital authentication method used to confirm the identity of a user to allow them access to a website or app through at least two pieces of evidence. Two-factor authentication, more popularly known as 2FA, is the most commonly used method. In order for 2FA to work, a user must have at least two important pieces of credentials in order to log in to an account (with multi-factor usually involving more than three different details). This means if an unauthorized user gets their hands on a password, they will still need access to an email or phone number linked to the account where a special code is sent for an extra level of protection. For example, a bank will require a username and password in order for a user to access their account, but it also needs a second form of authentication such as a unique code or fingerprint recognition to confirm a user’s identity. This second factor can also be used before a transaction is made. With an authenticator app, users are given an automatically generated one-time password (OTP), which can act as a highly secure second factor for 2FA. Not only is it virtually impossible for threat actors to swipe these one-time authorization codes, seeing as it refreshes around every 30 seconds, but these codes also aren’t sent via SMS. Using your phone number as a factor for 2FA or OTP is dodgy territory, and there’s good reason for everyone to stop using their phone number for two-factor authentication. Instead, let an authenticator app bolster your online security.
What are the best authenticator apps?
There are dozens of authenticator apps on the market, but a few that we would recommend are Authy, Microsoft Authenticator (opens in new tab), LastPass (opens in new tab) and 1Password (opens in new tab). Google Authenticator is another popular option, but seeing as it doesn’t require either a password or biometric login, it’s a potential security gap in a process that is trying to eliminate them. Authy is a dedicated authenticator app and is expressly used for 2FA login, whereas Microsoft Authenticator, LastPass, and 1Password are password managers that have incorporated an authenticator component. Once you choose your authenticator app and have it installed, you can begin setting up 2FA for your accounts.
The best authenticator apps you can buy today
Authy comes with a host of benefits for those who want to stay secure online without having to pay a dime. However, it does come at an inconvenient cost: your phone number. In order to sign up to this authenticator app, Authy requires you to verify and ensure that you have access to the phone number you claim to own. Fair enough, but other authenticator apps don’t require a phone number in order to evade SIM swapping scandals. Still, Authy offers tight security measures and a number of advantages to make it difficult for anyone to nab your details. This includes multi-device support, allowing users to easily authorize their phone, tablet and laptop to be used to receive 2FA codes and confirm their authorization into different websites or accounts. Own an Apple Watch? It even works on that. Plus, if you lose one of these devices, it can just as easily be deauthorized. Authy also has a back-up feature that encrypts and stores your data, which can be incredibly handy when you lose or damage your phone. Of course, you’ll need to remember just one password in order to access your account when a device is lost, but if you can’t remember the password or lose access to your account, all is not lost. The authenticator app has an account recovery process, although it may take over 24 hours to gain access again due to extra precautions taken. If you’re after an easy 2FA solution for multiple accounts, Authy is a good option. If you often use Microsoft Office products, the Microsoft Authenticator app is a no-brainer. It isn’t just for Microsoft accounts though, as it can be used with any online account that also supports 2FA. The authenticator app uses time-based, one-time passcodes, along with fingerprint, face recognition, or a PIN, all to log in to Microsoft’s suite of products or sites with a simple press of a button. The free app is available on both Android and iOS, and even if you make the switch to a new phone, the account recovery feature lets users simply download the Microsoft Authenticator app and recover their details by signing into their account. Oh, and it also works on Apple Watch. If you’re a fan of password management, the Microsoft Authenticator also comes with password management support, so users can sync and autofill any online accounts associated with the authenticator. Now that’s handy for a free-to-use app. Google has been a long-time supporter for a password-less future, and its authenticator app stands as a testament, albeit a very basic one. Google has already started auto-enrolling people to start using its 2FA system, so we may expect to see its authenticator app play a bigger role in the near future. The good news is it’s the baseline of all authentication, as the Google Authenticator is the app that started it all. Like many of the best authenticators, it doesn’t require an online connection in order to receive codes, and all it takes is a QR code to link accounts that accept OTP. Plus, it’s hard to find a website that doesn’t accept the Google Authenticator. It’s completely free to use, which makes this a no-brainer for most, but it also lacks some benefits that its competitors boast. The app doesn’t support backups and it can’t sync to multiple devices, which makes account recovery a pain if you can’t gain access. While users can transfer their account information between devices by using a QR code, if you’ve lost the device it is on, then good luck recovering your account. For those looking for a simple 2FA setup, the Google Authenticator will do your online security justice.
