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I finally installed Google Authenticator on my phone yesterday because Digital Ocean utilizes it. It's great. Like RSA stuff, only more convenient. And hopefully given the response of Google's security people to NSA activity, more secure than the RSA stuff.

This thing basically looks like a more automated version of Google Authenticator. Cool, but meh, would it really change my life?

But maybe it would make a difference for the same market that feels like the iPhone 5s's fingerprint scanner is way more convenient than previous security mechanisms on the iPhone and so can never go back. I dunno.



Google's Authenticator 2FA system is based on an open standard [1], and can even be implemented on your own/other web sites. Given the open nature of the standard, that can be considered an additional safeguard against NSA exposure.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Authenticator


May I suggest you try the Authy[1] app for your phone. Its much prettier than GA, has a PIN screen lock, and can save your encrypted credentials in case you lose your phone. Plus, if you run OS X it will sync to your computer's clipboard via Bluetooth.

[1] https://www.authy.com/


While this is cool, I don't think I can replace GA with this because GA is the one implemented by the services I use, yeah? I can only use this for services that implement this.


Authy's app works with Google Authenticator-compatible sites. Authy also has its own two-factor system, but you're not required to use it.




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