Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step beyond a password. It helps prevent unauthorized access to online accounts and protects personal data.
Authenticator apps come in really handy here, generating temporary time-bound codes, or TOTPs, for 2FA that people enter along with their passwords. This makes it harder for malicious actors to access accounts, even if passwords are stolen.
Built by the team behind Proton Mail and Proton Pass (partner links), Authenticator is an open source end-to-end encrypted app that lets users securely store TOTPs from any supported service.
In contrast to Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator, Proton Authenticator lets you easily import existing 2FA codes from these and other popular 2FA apps, making the transition easy and hassle-free.
There are some other nice features too, like secure synchronization between multiple devices, automatic backups of TOTPs, no ads or tracking, and the ability to work offline without any additional configuration.
During the launch, Eamonn Maguire, Head of Anti-Abuse & Account Security at Proton, added that:
We believe strong security should never come at the cost of your convenience or privacy. That's why we've developed Proton Authenticator: to give users peace of mind that their 2FA codes are available wherever they need them, without relying on Google or Microsoft.
We're putting users firmly in control not only over their data, but the way they access their online accounts.
Get Proton Authenticator
Proton has released native apps for Android and iOS, along with desktop versions for Linux, Windows, and macOS. You do not need a Proton account to use Proton Authenticator. Simply install the app and start adding your 2FA tokens.
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