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Security

Two-factor authentication, without the jargon

A password can be guessed, reused or leaked. A second factor is what makes that stop mattering.

Ehsan Arab31 August 20261 min read
A phone showing a one-time code

If someone learns your password, they can sign in as you. That is the whole problem, and no amount of complexity requirements fixes it.

Two kinds of second factor

An authenticator app generates a code from a secret only your phone and the server know. An SMS sends a code to your number. The app is stronger, because a phone number can be moved to someone else’s SIM.

An authenticator app listing one-time codes
If you only turn on one thing this year, make it the authenticator app.

Keep your recovery codes somewhere that is not your phone. They are the way back in when the phone is lost.

About the author Ehsan Arab
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