Secure Password Applications and 2 Factor Authentication (2FA)

Remembering passwords which some important applications enforce being changed at least every 3 months can be quite a nuisance, sometimes resulting in people using ‘abcd1234’ for everything online. Creating and recalling effectively strong passwords for each website you visit can be quite a daunting task.

Password managers are wonderful tools since they don’t only remove the task of remembering your access details, but also usually type them in too.

  1. LastPass

Free, secure login storage and generation – LastPass well known as the best password manager available.

Two versions of LastPass exist: free and premium entirely on Windows, Mac, Linux, android and ios os’s. Both versions include unlimited storage for any number of account logins in the secure vault, protected by a master password. Online forms will complete automatically and will even employ multi-factor authentication.

Premium edition offers additional features including storing passwords for desktop programs, syncing across multiple devices, sharing secured folders along with other contacts and generation of complex passwords which can be then stored to suit your needs.   

  1. Sticky Password

Excellent password management from your expert creators of AVG Antivirus.

You may be rest assured that security is of top priority when the team behind AVG Antivirus developed Sticky Password.

                               

It comes in two versions: free and premium which adds a cloud syncing and backup feature for £19.99, on Windows, iOS, Mac and Android platforms.

Fingerprint authentication is supported on mobiles including Wi-Fi synchronisation with local devices.

 

 

                         Two – Factor Authentication (2FA) Solutions

Based over a selection of technologies, Two-Factor authentication (2FA) most prominently employs one time passwords (OTPs) and Public Key infrastructure to protect your identity and data using a strong authentication process.

  1. Google Authenticator

A mobile application which uses Time-based One-time Password Algorithm (TOTP) and HMAC- based One-time Password Algorithm (HOTP) for authenticating users.

                                        

Google Authenticator really stands apart using a feature that doesn’t require internet access or cellular connectivity to authenticate an individual, essentially in airplane mode. The application holds multiple accounts in one place employing the same mobile number to receive your 2FA code. It has a simple application interface which fits with older versions of Android operating-system. Installation file is just 2MB in size, so that it works easily on all devices. 

  1. Duo Security


This application enables users to secure their transactions and logins by self-enrolling and authenticating using their mobile phones.

Duo Push saves you time from copying numbers having an out-of-band authentication procedure that prevents remote hackers from stealing your password. The app sends an authorization request straight to the application running in your smartphone, with two push notifications to Approve or Deny authentication.

Duo 2FA can integrate into websites, Cloud Services and VPNs entirely on Androids, Windows, Blackberries and PCs. Platform Edition ofe software offers advanced analytics with Endpoint security that will flag any out-of-date device software posing any security risk.     

  1. AUTHY

Authy offers 3 different authentication options: Authy OneCode, Authy OneTouch and Authy SoftToken to allow use of users.

                             

Authy takes the crown to get the best 2FA application for desktops with Linux, Mac, Windows, Android and also Apple watch supported.

Security codes generated through the application can be sent directly as a token towards the desktop without resorting to a smartphone. Your accounts could be synced and copied to the Cloud.

In the big event your phone gets stolen, you have the capability to take away the lost phone in the devices’ list directly from the desktop application. This feature stops any unauthorised user with the smartphone from gaining access to all of your accounts.

 

 

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