

While I have had to change my workflow a little, the upsides of having switched away from Google Authenticator far outweigh the downsides. While I did have to go through the process of setting up 2FA on all my accounts - I even added it to a few more while I was at it - hopefully it's the last time I have to do this.
#AUTHY DESKTOP OFFLINE HOW TO#
It's quick and easy to use and set up, runs on multiple devices and platforms, allows you to make backups, and the website is a wealth of information on how to secure accounts using 2FA.Īlso: Protect yourself: How to choose the right two-factor authenticator app Password managers 1Password and LastPass both have built-in authenticator apps, but the one I went for is Authy. So, I've been on the lookout for a new service, and there are a number out there. And this ease of access to the app seems to allow malware to steal 2FA codes directly from Google Authenticator, giving you yet another good reason to dump the app. This is where things get really tedious, and where it begins to feel easier to just turn off 2FA and take a chance.Īnother drawback of Google Authenticator that a reader pointed out is no passcode or biometric lock on the app. Nifty idea for sure.Īnother drawback, and this is a big one, is that if you swap phones, you have to blitz the entire app and go back and sync up all the accounts again. The user simply must have logged into the.

#AUTHY DESKTOP OFFLINE GENERATOR#
The offline multi-factor works with any Time-based OTP generator app like Google Authenticator, Authy or PortalGuard's own mobile app. One reader had the nifty idea of keeping a printout of the QR codes for the sides, and going down a list and scanning them in when having to set up Google Authenticator in the future. The new version of the PortalGuard Desktop now supports multi-factor authentication even when your PortalGuard server is unavailable on the network. It help’s you protect your account from hackers and hijackers by adding an additional layer of security. The Authy app generates secure 2 step verification tokens on your device. Note : As some readers have correctly pointed out, you can set up Google Authenticator on multiple devices, but for me that's more work, and a change to one of the installations would have to be done across all devices. Authy brings the future of strong authentication to the convenience of your Desktop. Not a huge drawback for those who live with a single smartphone in their hand, but if you "device surf" a lot, this can be a drawback because you have to have your smartphone nearby. Another is that you have to set it up individually on every single device you use.
