Multi-Factor Authentication II: A Portable 2-Factor Authentication App

Categories: Cyber Security Awareness Month Howtos Security

Protecting Your Accounts: The Importance of Two-Factor Authentication and 2FAS

One of the difficulties that has arisen as our society grows ever more digital is the need to verify identities. Early applications used simple passwords, then username-password pairs, then increasingly more complex passwords to try and stay secure. This produced several issues, including the need to maintain password databases, the need to secure those databases, and the difficulty of establishing that someone who knew the login credentials was ACTUALLY the person that the credentials belonged to. 

As Bronson mentioned in his post about passwords, multi-factor authentication can help resolve this issue. Because it introduces another source of identity verification, it means that an attacker needs more than just a username and password to gain access to a secured application.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-Factor Authentication, or 2FA, is a security process in which a user provides two different authentication factors to verify their identity. This adds an extra layer of protection to the login process. The two factors typically include:

1. Something You Know: This is usually a password or PIN.
2. Something You Have: A physical device, like a smartphone or a hardware token, that can generate or receive a one-time passcode (OTP).

With 2FA enabled, even if someone gets hold of your password, they still can’t access your account without the second piece of information.

Introducing 2FAS: A Free and Reliable 2FA Solution

OSU has been using DUO authentication to provide this extra layer of security for logins for some time now; however, what if you want to use 2FA for non-OSU apps or accounts? I ran into this a year or so ago when Github began requiring 2FA for logins. Github is a code repository used by many developers to maintain their codebases; it needs to be secure to prevent destruction of the code that lives there. I did some looking and settled on 2FAS as the application I wanted to use.

Reasons I like 2FAS:

• Easy Setup: 2FAS allows users to easily add multiple accounts by scanning QR codes from supported websites. Sites that don’t use QR codes are also (generally) easy to add. Many of the major sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, Google and so on) have tutorials built into the application to help set up connections.
• Offline Use: The app generates codes even when your phone is not connected to the internet, ensuring you can always access your accounts.
• Multiple Accounts Support: You can manage all your two-factor authentication accounts in one place, making it more convenient than juggling multiple apps or devices.
• Backup and Restore: 2FAS offers a simple way to back up your accounts and transfer them to a new device if needed, minimizing the risk of being locked out.
• Free to Use: Unlike some services that charge for additional security features, 2FAS provides its core functionality for free.

How to Get Started with 2FAS

1. Download the 2FAS app from your device’s app store (available for both Android and iOS).
2. Link Your Accounts: For each account that supports 2FA, go to the security settings and enable two-factor authentication. You will usually see an option to scan a QR code.
3. Secure Your Account: After scanning the QR code with 2FAS, the app will generate a time-sensitive code that you can use to complete the setup. Moving forward, every time you log in, you’ll input your password followed by the code generated in the app.

Final Thoughts

Implementing two-factor authentication is a simple yet highly effective way to protect your online accounts. Whether you’re using 2FA for personal accounts, business tools, or financial services, it adds a much-needed layer of security in an era of increasing cyber threats. Tools like 2FAS make the process easy, free, and highly reliable, ensuring that your accounts remain secure without complicating your life. I’m using it for several of my accounts and it really is easy.

Take control of your digital security today—enable two-factor authentication and consider using 2FAS to simplify the process!