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Two step authentication, 2-step Verification SMS code password concept. Smartphone with special 2FA software and tablet pc with multi-factor authentication safety and secure login form.

Use 1Password as an authenticator for sites with two-factor authentication. Learn how to use 1Password to store and quickly access your one-time passwords when you turn on two-step verification for a website. Set up two-factor authentication. Save your QR code. Any good 2FA app will work with the QR code. To do this with 1Password, you enter edit mode on the iOS app and tap the 'Add new one-time password' option. From there you either manually enter the code provided by the service or take a photo of the QR code. Now, when you need to login, that login entry in 1Password will always have the code you. 2 days ago  Instead of simply requesting an additional PIN or password, the 2FA system can require knowledge-based data, like a city of birth, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name, and a wide range of secondary protections. A rotating list of three to five personalized, knowledge-based responses make it less likely that a hacking program can breach your.

You are one data breach away from having your entire online life turned upside down. The problem is passwords, which are hopelessly fragile ways to secure valuable resources.

To turn off two-factor authentication, sign in to your account on 1Password.com in an authorized browser or unlock 1Password on an authorized device: 1Password.com. Click your name in the top right and choose My Profile. Click More Actions Manage Two-Factor Authentication. Click Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication, then enter your Master Password.

Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the belief that creating a longer, more complex, harder-to-guess password will somehow make you safer online. You can create a password that is so long and complex it takes you five minutes to type, and it will do nothing to protect you if the service where you use that password stores it improperly and then has their server breached. It regularly happens.

Also: Best VPNs • Best security keys• Best antivirus

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Everyone needs a password manager. It's the only way to maintain unique, hard-to-guess credentials for every secure site you and your team access daily.

And even with reasonable policies in place (complexity, changed regularly, not reused), people are still the weakest link in the security chain. Social engineering can convince even intelligent people to enter their credentials on a phishing site or give them up over the phone.

The solution is two-factor authentication, or 2FA. (Some services, being sticklers for detail, call it multi-factor authentication or two-step verification, but 2FA is the most widely used term, so that's the nomenclature I've chosen to use here.)

A 2019 report from Microsoft concluded that 2FA works, blocking 99.9% of automated attacks. If a service provider supports multi-factor authentication, Microsoft recommends using it, even if it's as simple as SMS-based one-time passwords. A separate 2019 report from Google offered similar conclusions.

In this article, I answer some of the most common questions people ask me about 2FA.

How does 2FA work? Isn't it inconvenient?

Turning on 2FA for a service changes the security requirements, forcing you to provide at least two proofs of identity when accessing a secure service for the first time on an unknown device. After you successfully meet that challenge, you usually have the option to categorize the device as trusted, which means that 2FA requests should be relatively rare on the devices you use regularly.

Those two forms of authentication can come from any combination of at least two of the following elements:

• 'Something you know,' such as a password or PIN
• 'Something you are,' such as a fingerprint or other biometric ID
• 'Something you have,' such as a trusted smartphone that can generate or receive confirmation codes, or a hardware-based security device

For the most part, the two-factor authentication systems you see in place today use the first item (your password) and the last item (your smartphone). Smartphones have become ubiquitous, making them ideal security devices.

Your smartphone can assist with authentication by providing a unique code that you use along with your password to sign in. You can acquire that code in one of two ways: Sent as a text message from the service, or generated by an app installed on your phone.

Here, for example, is what I saw moments ago when I tried to sign in to my Gmail account from a browser I had never used before.

If this sign-in request were from someone who had stolen my Google account credentials, they'd be stopped dead in their tracks. Without that code, they can't continue the sign-in process.

Most (but not all) services that support 2FA offer a choice of authentication methods. Google and Microsoft, for example, can both push notifications to a trusted device; you tap the notification to approve the sign-in. An increasing number of services support the use of hardware security keys (see: 'YubiKey hands-on: Hardware-based 2FA is more secure, but watch out for these gotchas.')

And, of course, most services offer the option to print out backup recovery codes, which you can store in a safe place and use in the event your usual secondary authentication method is unavailable. If your smartphone is lost, stolen, or damaged, you'll need those codes.

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While robust passwords go a long way to securing your valuable online accounts, hardware-based two-factor authentication takes that security to the next level.

Which authentication method is best?

The best authentication method is the one you're most comfortable with. Just make sure you have at least two options, to avoid the risk of being locked out of your account.

I prefer the option to use an authenticator app rather than receiving codes via text message whenever possible, and so should you, for two good reasons. The first is a matter of simple logistics. There are times when you have access to the internet (via a wired connection or Wi-Fi) but can't receive a text message, because your cellular signal is weak or nonexistent, or you're using a different SIM while traveling. The second is the small but real chance that an attacker will social-engineer their way through your mobile carrier's defenses to acquire a SIM card with your phone number, a process called 'SIM-jacking.'

The most popular 2FA app is Google Authenticator, which is available on iOS and Android. But there are plenty of alternatives; because the process for generating secure tokens is based on open standards, anyone can write an authenticator app that performs the same function. In fact, you can use multiple authenticator apps. I use Microsoft Authenticator, which is capable of receiving push notifications from personal and business accounts on Microsoft's platforms, as well as 1Password, which integrates 2FA support into the same app that manages passwords, making sign-in even more seamless. I almost recommend the third-party app Authy, which allows you to manage authenticator codes on multiple devices with the ability to back up and restore account settings. (For details, see 'Protect yourself: How to choose the right two-factor authenticator app.')

It's worth noting that setting up an account in your authenticator app only requires a data connection during the initial configuration. After that, everything happens on your device. The process is governed by a well-accepted standard that uses the Time-based One-Time Password algorithm (TOTP). That algorithm uses the authenticator app as a sophisticated calculator that generates codes using the current time on your device and the shared secret. The online service uses the same secret and its own timestamp to generate codes that it compares against your entry. Both sides of the connection can adjust for timezones without problem, although your codes will fail if the time on your device is wrong.

How do I know which services support 2FA?

When I started writing about this technology a decade ago, 2FA support was relatively rare. Today, it's commonplace.

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Simple steps can make the difference between losing your online accounts or maintaining what is now a precious commodity: Your privacy.

Google accounts, including both consumer Gmail and business GSuite accounts, offer a wide range of two-step verification alternatives. All Microsoft accounts, including the free accounts used with Outlook.com, Xbox, Skype, and other consumer services, support a variety of authentication options, as do the Azure Active Directory accounts used with Microsoft's business and enterprise services, including Microsoft 365 and Office 365.

2FA support is ubiquitous among social media services (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on). Every online storage service worth considering supports 2FA, as do most domain registrars and web hosting companies. If you're unsure about a specific service, the best place to check is a superb open source information repository called the Two Factor Auth List. And if a high-value service you rely on doesn't support 2FA, well, maybe you should consider switching to one that does.

Which services should I protect first?

You probably have login credentials at dozens of online services that support 2FA, so the best strategy is to make a prioritized list and work your way through it. I suggest these priorities:

• Password/identity managers. Using a password manager is perhaps the most important way to ensure that you have a strong, unique password for every service, but that also creates a single point of attack. Adding 2FA shores up that potential weakness. Note that for some password management software, 2FA support is a paid option.
• Microsoft and Google accounts. If you use services from either company, adding 2FA support is essential. Fortunately, it's also easy.
• Email accounts. If a bad actor can take over your email account, they can often wreak havoc, because email messages are a standard means of sending password reset links. Messages sent from a compromised email account can also be used to attack your friends and co-workers (by sending malware-laden attachments, for example). If you use Outlook.com, Exchange Online, Gmail, or G Suite, your email account uses the identity verification method associated with your Microsoft or Google account. If you use a different email service, you'll need to set up 2FA separately.
• Social media accounts. As with email, the biggest risk associated with a hacked Twitter or Facebook account is that it will be used against your friends and associates. Even if you're a lurker who rarely posts anything on social media, you should protect these accounts.
• Banks and financial institutions. Most banks and credit card companies have made significant investments in back-end fraud detection programs, which is why 2FA options are typically limited compared with other categories. Nonetheless, it's worth exploring these settings and tightening them as much as possible.
• Shopping and online commerce. Any site where you've saved a credit card number should be secured.

How do I set up 2FA?

Setting up additional security for most online services requires minimal technical skills. If you can use your smartphone's camera, type a six-digit number, and tap OK in a dialog box, you have all the skills required. The most difficult part of the job is finding the page that has the relevant settings.

If you're using SMS messages, all you need to do is associate a mobile phone number with your account. (You can also use a virtual phone line, such as a Google Voice number, that can receive SMS messages.) Configure the account to send a code to that number whenever you sign in on an untrusted device. For example, here's what this option looks like when enabled on a Twitter account:

Setting up 2FA on a Twitter account requires you to first re-enter your password and then enter the phone number where you want to receive authentication codes. After you complete that process, you'll receive a code on that device. Enter the code to confirm you received it, and the 2FA setup is complete. Helpfully, Twitter automatically generates a recovery code at the end of this setup process; print it out and file it in a safe place so you can recover in the event your primary 2FA method no longer works.

To get started with an authenticator app, you first need to install the app on the mobile device you want to use as your second authentication factor:

• If you carry an iOS device, you can get the Google Authenticator app from the App Store. (It's optimized for use on iPhones but should work on an iPad as well.) On Android devices, install the Google Authenticator app from the Google Play Store.
• The Microsoft Authenticator app, which uses the same standard to create authentication tokens, is available for Android devices from the Google Play Store and for iOS devices from the App Store.
• Authy is also available from the App Store and from the Google Play Store.
• If you use the LastPass password manager, consider installing the LastPass Authenticator app, which is designed to work with the LastPass app on mobile devices and the desktop.
• If you use 1Password as your password manager, 2FA support is built into the 1Password app on all platforms. For details on how to use the One-Time Password feature, see this 1Password support page.

After you install the app for your device, the next step is to set it up to work with each account where you have enabled 2FA.

Also: Make your cloud safer: How to enable two-factor authentication for the most popular cloud services.

The setup process typically requires that you enter a shared secret (a long text string) using the mobile app. All of the mobile apps I listed above support using a smartphone camera to take a picture of a QR code, which contains the shared secret for your account. That's much easier than entering a complex alphanumeric string manually.

Here, for example, is the QR code you'll see when setting up a Dropbox account:

In your authenticator app. choose the option to add a new account, choose the bar code option, aim the smartphone at the bar code on your computer screen, and wait for the app to fill in the necessary fields.

After you set up the account in the authenticator app, it begins generating codes based on the shared secret and the current time. To complete the setup process, enter the current code from the authenticator app.

The next time you try to sign in with a new device or web browser, you'll need to enter the current code, as displayed by the authenticator app.

If you use older email apps that don't support modern authentication with an account that's protected by 2FA, your normal password won't work anymore. You'll need to generate special passwords for use exclusively with those apps. The security settings for your account should guide you through that process. (But really, if you are using an old app that requires an app password, maybe you should consider replacing it.)

As part of the 2FA setup process, you should also generate one or more recovery codes, which you can print out and store in a safe place. In the event your smartphone is lost or damaged, you can use those codes to regain access to your account.

How do you transfer 2FA accounts to a new smartphone?

If you use SMS text messages as a second factor for authentication, transferring your number to the new phone will seamlessly transfer your 2FA setup too.

Some authenticator apps allow you to generate codes on multiple devices. 1Password and Authy both fall into this category. Set up the app on the new phone, install the app, sign in, and then check each account to confirm that the codes generated on the new phone work properly. Microsoft Authenticator allows you to back up codes to the cloud and restore them on a new device. For instructions, see 'Back up and recover account credentials using the Microsoft Authenticator app.'

For Google Authenticator and other no-frills apps, however, you'll need to manually re-create each account on the new device. Install the authenticator app on your new device and repeat the setup process for each account you used with your old phone. Setting up an account on a new authenticator app automatically disables codes generated by the old device.

Two-factor authentication will stop most casual attacks dead in their tracks. It's not perfect, though. A determined attacker who is directly targeting a specific account might be able to find ways to work around it, especially if he can hijack the email account used for recovery or redirect phone calls and SMS messages to a device he controls. But if someone is that determined to break into your account, you have a bigger problem.

Any questions? Send me a note or leave a comment below.

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of protection for your 1Password account. When turned on, a second factor will be required to sign in to your account on a new device, in addition to your Master Password and Secret Key.

Learn more about authentication and encryption in the 1Password security model.

Get an authenticator app

1password 2fa Not Working

Before you can use two-factor authentication with your 1Password account, you’ll need to install an authenticator app on your mobile device:

Although 1Password can be used to store one-time passwords for other services where you use two-factor authentication, it’s important to use a different authenticator app to store the authentication codes for your 1Password account. Storing them in 1Password would be like putting the key to a safe inside the safe itself.

Set up two-factor authentication

To turn on two-factor authentication:

1. Sign in to your account on 1Password.com.
2. Click your name in the top right and choose My Profile.
3. Click More Actions > Manage Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Click Set Up App. You’ll see a square barcode (QR code).

   To save a backup of your two-factor authentication code, write down the 16-character secret next to the QR code and store it somewhere safe, like with your passport and Emergency Kit.

5. On your mobile device, open your authenticator app and use it to scan the QR code. After you scan the QR code, you’ll see a six-digit authentication code.
6. On 1Password.com, click Next. Enter the six-digit authentication code, then click Confirm.

Your 1Password account is now protected by two-factor authentication. To continue using your account on other devices or to sign in to it on a new device, you’ll need to enter a six-digit authentication code from your authenticator app.

Tip

After you set up two-factor authentication, if you have a U2F security key, like YubiKey or Titan, you can use it as a second factor with your 1Password account.

View and manage authorized devices

To view your authorized devices, sign in to your account on 1Password.com. Then click your name in the top right and choose My Profile.

To manage an authorized device, clicknext to it. You’ll find these options:

• Deauthorize Device: Your account will be removed from the device.
• Require 2FA on Next Sign-in: Your account will remain on the device, but changes you make on other devices won’t appear until you reauthorize using a second factor.

Manage two-factor authentication for your team

With 1Password Business, you can manage two-factor authentication for your team if:

• you’re a team administrator or owner
• you belong to a group that has the “Manage Settings” permission

To manage two-factor authentication for your team, click Security in the sidebar and choose “Two-Factor Authentication”. Then you can:

• Allow security keys in addition to an authenticator app.
• Enforce two-factor authentication for everyone on your team.*
• Use Duo, a third-party option that’s automatically enforced.
• Turn off two-factor authentication completely.

* To enforce two-factor authentication, your Master Password policy must be set to Strong. Your team will need to set up two-factor authentication when they sign up, sign in, or unlock 1Password. Create a team report to see who uses two-factor authentication.

Get help

Two-factor authentication requires a 1Password membership and 1Password 7 or later (or 1Password 6.8 for Mac).

If you lose access to your authenticator app

If you lose access to your authenticator app, you won’t be able to sign in to 1Password on new devices until you turn off two-factor authentication.

To turn off two-factor authentication, sign in to your account on 1Password.com in an authorized browser or unlock 1Password on an authorized device:

1Password.com

1. Click your name in the top right and choose My Profile.
2. Click More Actions > Manage Two-Factor Authentication.
3. Click Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication, then enter your Master Password.

Mac

Choose 1Password > Preferences > Accounts. Click your account, then click Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication.

iOS and Android

Tap Settings > 1Password Accounts. Tap your account, then tap Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication.

Windows

Choose Accounts and select your account, then click “Turn off two-factor authentication”.

If you don’t have access to an authorized browser or device, ask someone to recover your account.

If your team uses Duo

If your team uses Duo, you won’t see the option to turn on two-factor authentication because Duo is already providing multi-factor authentication for everyone on your team.

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