Nearly 8.4 billion bad passwords were recently leaked online as part of a breach and yours may be among them. Tap or click here for more details on the breach and how you can check if you were part of it. Having a strong password is just the first step. You want to add extra layers of protection as hacks and breaches become more prevalent. Authenticator apps, like password managers, automate this process.
Two-factor authentication
You can never be too safe when it comes to online security and two-factor authentication, or 2FA, will beef up your defenses. It can be something only you know (an answer to a question), something you have (your device), or who you are (a fingerprint, voice pattern or facial scan). RELATED: 5 rules on creating better passwords If any of these factors aren’t recognized, you won’t be able to get into your account. Take, for example, a passcode sent to your phone. Only you should be able to unlock your phone and see the passcode, so there’s your 2FA. The problem is your phone or SMS can be hacked, giving access to that code to an unwelcome party.
Authenticator apps
An authenticator app is usually installed on your smart device. It generates one-time passcodes consisting of 6-8 digits every 30 seconds. The code expires after 30 seconds, so if someone manages to get a hold of it, it won’t work after that time has passed. You don’t need to provide a phone number to the app, and the app itself is unique to your phone. Setting up an authenticator app with a site usually consists of scanning a QR code with the app to save a secret key. After that, whenever you log in to that site, it sends a code to your app generated from the secret key initially created plus the current time.
Which authenticator app is right for you?
You want an authenticator app that securely backs up your account info in case you lose or replace the device you installed it on. Not all apps are compatible with all platforms, so that’s a factor to consider as well. Let’s check out some of the more popular ones. RELATED: See how hackers can get around your 2FA texts
Google Authenticator
Google’s authenticator app is simple and easy to use and works on both iOS and Android. Setup is as easy as taking a picture of a QR code. Google Authenticator’s simplicity comes at the expense of some features. It doesn’t back up your account codes online. You can’t lock the software itself, so if someone unlocks your phone, they can access your codes. If you need to set up Google Authenticator on a new device, you’ll have to go through the setup process and add all your accounts again.
Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft’s authenticator app also works on iOS and Android. Setup involves taking a picture of a QR code. Microsoft Authenticator securely backs up your account data to the cloud so you can use it and add it to multiple devices. If you use this app with your Microsoft accounts, you can access them with one tap, thanks to the app’s built-in password manager.
LastPass Authenticator
If you already have a LastPass account, you can set up LastPass Authenticator by tapping a notification. Having a LastPass account also lets you create a backup of your codes if you need to install the authenticator on a new device. RELATED: Stop using that same old password for your online accounts – Try this instead LastPass Authenticator works best when integrated with a LastPass account. It works with the password manager to enable one-tap access to your accounts, though this feature is limited in its scope of sites.
