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this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2024
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I'm not that tech savy, so I was under the impression sms 2FA was the best way to go - why is app based authentication better?
Someone already explained it, but here's a ranking of the different methods which are commonly used in terms of security, from bad to good:
Thanks, what level would you recommend for an more or less average user? Would guess my most sensitive data are bank and google account.
Go app based, and keep it something that doesn't sync (preferably) to external servers.
I'm using andOTP currently for mine. You can create backups every now and again and store them off your phone for safe keeping too ๐
Thank you, will look more into it.
On top of all the other good answers, someone can also just SIM hijack your phone number by social engineering your phone provider into activating a new SIM card.
And it's usually much easier than one would think/hope.
I'm convinced, will switch to app authentication.
Make sure you backup your vault and/or keep the backup "paper codes" somewhere safe.
Aegis, for example, can automatically backup an encrypted vault.
SMS-based can be intercepted, while app-based are calculated on your phone. If you're using SMS -based, all someone needs to do is take over your phone, and they're getting your 2FA codes. Here's how easy that is: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lc7scxvKQOo
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://m.piped.video/watch?v=lc7scxvKQOo
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.
Cause SMS is not encrypted, so your phone provider and any routing company like this one can read your texts, phone numbers can be spoofed (not sure about this one), or stolen via social engineering (someone calls your phone provider claiming it's you and u lost your phone or something, then gets access to your number).
There's probably a lot more issues with it, i don't remember them atm, but should be pretty easy to find with a search if you're still curious.
Also, physical phone stolen, and the thief just pops the simcard out and puts it in another phone.
SMS 2fa has been recommended NOT to use since 2016.
That message did not arrived at general population.