![]() ![]() A vulnerability in SMS messaging is that crooks can reroute text messages (Opens in a new window). But getting codes by phone turns out not to be not very secure at all. Yes, you can implement MFA by having your bank send you a text message with a code that you enter into the site to gain access. There's another common way to do it that's not so good, however: authentication code by text message. Using an authenticator app is one of the better types of MFA. What's the Best Kind of Multi-Factor Authentication? When you use an authenticator app, you bolster the password you know with the token, smartphone, or smartwatch that you have. Something you know (a password, for example)Īnd something you are (a fingerprint or other biometric trait). Experts classify authentication factors in three groups: MFA means you add another factor in addition to that password. Twilio Authy ReviewĪs the name implies, MFA means you use more than one type of authentication to unlock an online account or app. At least there's an Apple Watch app for those who want it. Authy’s Help Center offers a workaround, but we'd prefer it just worked more like other authenticator apps. We're not fans of this requirement, since we’d rather have the app consider our phones to be anonymous pieces of hardware and some have suggested that requiring a phone number opens the app up to SIM-card-swap fraud. ![]() Unlike the other apps listed here, Authy requires your phone number when you first set it up. It also means that authorities cannot force Authy to unlock your accounts. The password is only known to you, so if you forget it, Authy won’t be able to recover the account. There’s also an option to enter a private password or passphrase which Authy uses to encrypt login info for your accounts to the cloud. However, it’s somewhat concerning that you can add the account to a new phone using “a PIN code sent via a call or an SMS,” according to Authy’s support pages (Opens in a new window). One of Twilio Authy’s big advantages is encrypted cloud backup. This is the case for most authenticators that offer cloud backup. One problem (and it’s an Apple lock-in issue) is that you can’t transfer your saved MFA accounts to an Android device if you’ve backed up to iCloud, since the iPhone version requires using iCloud. In addition, Authenticator can operate as a password filler/saver utility on your phone. You can sync with the Microsoft account you associated with the authenticator, and after that, you’ll see the logins you’ve saved and synced from the Edge browser. Password management options are in a separate tab along the bottom. ![]() Like the 2FA app, Microsoft Authenticator offers another layer of security: You can require unlocking your phone with PIN or biometric verification in order to see the codes. That way, when you get a new phone, you’ll see an option to recover by signing into your Microsoft account and providing more verifications. Account recovery is an important feature that you should turn on if you use this app. The app also lets schools and workplaces register users’ devices. Microsoft Authenticator includes secure password generation and lets you log in to Microsoft accounts with a button press. Below our recommendations, you'll find more background information on just how these apps work to keep you safe, as well as criteria you should consider when choosing one. ![]() If you're looking for the best free authenticator app, you're in luck. Our summaries of the best authenticator apps, listed alphabetically, will help you decide which one to use so you can start setting up your accounts to be more secure. Using one of these apps can even help protect you against stealthy attacks like stalkerware. Authenticator apps, such as Authy, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator, enable one of the secure forms of MFA. The security team at PCMag frequently exhorts readers to use it. Multi-factor authentication (MFA, also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA) adds another layer of protection. Leaks and hacks from recent years make it clear that passwords alone don't provide enough security to protect your online bank account, social media accounts, or even accounts for websites where you shop. 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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