What is a Two-Factor Authentication Application?

Strong passwords have long been considered sufficient to secure access to sensitive information. But as work — and life — grow increasingly digital, additional layers of protections become increasingly important.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) serves that need for stronger account defenses. Authenticator apps, like Duo Mobile, provide the second authentication factor and assist in the 2FA process, by prompting users to confirm each login attempt. With Duo Push users can verify identity and approve access with a single tap, ensuring only trusted access to critical systems, apps, and data.

Using a 2FA authentication app helps keep company and personal data safe. Authenticator apps can be used to access a wide variety of business and consumer applications, from GitHub and Salesforce, to Facebook and Dropbox.

Both security keys and 2FA apps serve as additional layers of security beyond traditional passwords, but they operate in different ways.

A security key is a physical device, or hardware, often a USB or NFC (Near Field Communication) token, that you insert into your computer or tap on a mobile device to authenticate.

A 2FA app is a software application installed on a mobile device. It generates time-sensitive codes that you enter along with your username and password during the login process.

In some cases, combining both methods (using a security key as the primary method and having a 2FA app as a backup) provides an alternate layer of security. Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific security requirements and preferences of the user or organization.

Using an authenticator app will help keep your company and personal data safe. You can secure all of your devices with one simple and easy authentication app: Duo Mobile, a two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution.

Duo Mobile works on all the devices your users love — like Apple and Android phones and tablets, as well as many smart watches. Duo Mobile also supports biometric authentication, an additional layer of security to verify your users’ identities..

After a 2FA app has been properly installed onto a user’s device, be it a personal device or company-managed device, they then can enroll their individual logins in the service.

Some 2FA solutions like Duo integrate seamlessly right out of the box. After setup is complete, the user will be asked to confirm their identity at every login by use of their 2FA mobile app. That means that when the end user logs onto Microsoft Outlook, their device that the 2FA app is installed on will now prompt them to verify their identity before granting them access to their emails.

Duo Push

Duo Push is our most commonly used two-factor (2FA) authentication method, thanks to its simplicity and reliability. Users simply download the Duo Mobile app and are automatically prompted to confirm each login attempt—all it takes is a single tap. For added security, users can complete Verified Duo Push by entering a unique code from the login device on the Duo Mobile app.

Both the individual user and the enterprise CISO alike should look into authenticator apps to protect their data.

If you use any application that stores sensitive data, you should be using an authenticator app to improve your access security posture. Simply put, you should never trust that your password is enough to keep bad actors out. Implementing an authenticator app is a great first step in implementing a zero trust strategy.

Authenticator Apps for the Workforce

The US Government, EU and other entities now mandate the integration of MFA for many workforces. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), Federal Trade Commission’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act (including the Safeguards Rule) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are just a few of the many laws that require MFA in certain workplaces.

Authenticator apps can help make MFA integrations easier on the user and on IT to frustrate hackers, not users. They also can help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) by utilizing pre-existing employee equipment (phones, computers, etc.) instead of requiring new tokens for an entire workforce.

Authenticator Apps for Social Media

All social media users should protect their accounts with 2FA in order to prevent malicious access to their personal information, their user data, and their private message history.

High-profile users (ie., those with a larger following) and less active users both often risk phishing attacks, or hackers impersonating them on their profiles.

Downloading and integrating a high-quality 2FA authenticator app can help prevent any of these scenarios from happening at all.

Using an authenticator app for two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) offers several benefits that contribute to enhanced account security. Here are some key advantages:

Dynamic authentication codes – Authentication codes generated by authenticator apps are time-sensitive and change regularly. This dynamic nature adds an extra level of security compared to static passwords.

Reduced risk of phishing – Since authenticator apps generate codes based on a time-dependent algorithm, they are less susceptible to phishing attacks. Even if a user unwittingly provides their password, an attacker will still need the dynamic code from the authenticator app.

Device possession required – To generate the authentication code, the user must possess the device where the authenticator app is installed. This adds a physical element to the authentication process, enhancing security.

Backup and recovery options – Some authenticator apps offer backup and recovery options, allowing users to regain access to their accounts if they switch devices or lose their mobile device.

There are several types of 2FA apps, each using different methods to provide that additional layer of security. The effectiveness of 2FA depends on the specific implementation and the security measures associated with each type. Users and organizations may choose the type of 2FA app based on factors such as convenience, security level, and compatibility with the services they use.

Here are some common types of 2FA apps:

Push Notification Apps – Users receive a push notification on their mobile device when attempting to log in. They can approve or deny the login request directly from the notification.

Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP) Apps – These apps generate time-sensitive codes that change every 30 seconds. Users enter the current code along with their username and password during the login process.

Biometric Authentication Apps – Some 2FA apps use biometric data (fingerprint, facial recognition) as the second factor. Users need to verify their identity through a biometric scan in addition to entering their username and password.

Hardware Token Emulation Apps – These apps emulate the functionality of hardware tokens by generating codes that can be used for authentication. They are often used as alternatives to physical hardware tokens.