Security-minded individuals looking to simplify their two-factor authentication logins may want to take a look at LastPass’s new app today, LastPass Authenticator. The iOS App Store currently has a few different apps that can already handle two-factor authentication logins, like Google Authenticator and 1Password. Most of them come with the minor annoyance that once the app is launched, a user has to find the site’s login, and then type the OTP into the site before it expires. LastPass Authenticator looks to improve that experience by allowing users to quickly approve the new login requests directly from their devices.
Two-factor authentication takes regular password logins a step further into being more secure. Instead of just relying on a username and password, two-factor authentication usually requires at least one additional verification before allowing a user to log in. This maintains that even while a user’s credentials may be stolen, unless the second piece of the authentication puzzle is present, malicious attackers and intruders cannot simply get in.
With LastPass Authenticator, users will receive push notifications when attempting to login to sites that require two-factor authentication. From there, they will be able to quickly launch the app and allow the login request to go through. This removes the need of having to write down the OTP password within a set amount of time. LastPass also provides a few other reasons why someone would use Authenticator versus competing apps:
Why LastPass Authenticator?
Here’s just a few of the reasons we think you’ll love our new app:Enjoy a better experience: LastPass Authenticator offers user-friendly, secure two-factor authentication with simple set-up and one-tap login to LastPass.
You choose how to login: The app supports 6-digit generated passcodes, SMS codes, and automated push notifications that let you approve or deny a login in one tap.
Use it with more than LastPass: Enable LastPass Authenticator anywhere Google Authenticator is supported.
Leverage what you already have: You always have your smartphone with you, so there’s no need to keep track of extra devices.
Add more security: Protect from man-in-the-middle attacks by utilizing a different channel than your primary authentication (where your username and password are submitted).
It’s free!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE-G_BblWb8
LastPass Authenticator is available for free in the iOS App Store and is compatible with iPhones and iPads. LastPass is also available through the Mac App Store.
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What’s the difference between this and something like Authy?
This app would appear to simplify the process by sending a push notification to the device which you can instantly action rather than opening the app, finding the service etc.
On the negative side it doesn’t seem to sync across devices like Authy can and there’s no watch app.
There are some huge drawbacks from Lastpass’s first attempt at 2FA app. First you can’t sync across multiple devices so you need to scan the QR code on your iPhone, iPad etc at the same time to insure you get the proper code. Next and even more importantly if you have to wipe your iOS device for any reason you have to deactivate all of your 2FA codes and rescan again. With Authy you can simply restore from a prior state which I have found invaluable. As a long time Lastpass user I was hoping their 2FA would have these obvious features since the Lastpass integration was nice but not nice enough for me to jump ship from authy until they fix these issues. Oh and they might want to actually update the Lastpass app for MAC to version 4.0 so you can actually use the app and not the web portal if you so choose.