Secure Password Applications and a pair of Factor Authentication (2FA)

Remembering passwords which some important applications enforce to be changed no less than every 90 days can be a nuisance, sometimes leading to people using ‘abcd1234’ for everything online. Creating and recalling effectively strong passwords for every website you visit can be quite a daunting task.

Password managers are great 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 available on Windows, Mac, Linux, android and ios operating systems. Both versions have unlimited storage for almost any variety of account logins inside a secure vault, paid by a master password. Online forms will complete automatically and can even employ multi-factor authentication.

Premium edition offers extra features for example storing passwords for desktop programs, syncing across multiple devices, sharing secured folders along with other contacts and generation of complex passwords which are then stored for you personally.   

  1. Sticky Password

Excellent password management in the expert creators of AVG Antivirus.

You could be feel comfortable knowing that security is of main concern 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 on a selection of technologies, Two-Factor authentication (2FA) most prominently employs once passwords (OTPs) and Public Key infrastructure to protect your identity and data using a strong authentication process.

  1. Google Authenticator

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

                                        

Google Authenticator really stands out having a feature that doesn’t require internet access or cellular connectivity to authenticate a user, essentially in airplane mode. The application holds multiple accounts in one location employing the same mobile number to receive your 2FA code. It provides a simple application interface which fits with older versions of Android operating system. Installation file is merely 2MB in proportions, so it works easily on all devices. 

  1. Duo Security


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

Duo Push saves you time from copying numbers with an out-of-band authentication process that prevents remote hackers from stealing passwords. The app sends an authorization request directly to the application form running on your smartphone, with two push notifications to Approve or Deny authentication.

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

  1. AUTHY

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

                             

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

Security codes generated by the application could be sent directly as a token towards the desktop without making use of a smartphone. Your accounts could be synced and copied to the Cloud.

In the event your phone gets stolen, there is a capability to eliminate the lost phone in the devices’ list directly from the desktop application. This feature stops any unauthorised user with the smartphone from getting access to any of your accounts.