Text code numbers for added security


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tinmar49

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I regularly use ebay and PayPal on line and always have a long secure password. In addition to the password, always with ebay and about 30% of the time with PayPal, I get a text with a six digit code. An increase in security, definitely, but I would like to learn about any limitations to this.
What do you think?
 

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You can set your device to being a trusted device. I've done that for my desktop PC for both Ebay and Paypal and now rarely get sent a code via text.
 

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tinmar49 said:
I get a text with a six digit code. An increase in security, definitely, but I would like to learn about any limitations to this.
Click to expand...
One limitation is that is if you lose your phone you lose access to paypal etc. if you don't have additional verification steps enabled on paypal and other sites.
If bad guys stole your phone they could gain access to your paypal account therefore keep an eye on your phone all the time.

In any case a much more secure method is 2FA via authenticator app on your phone instead of SMS.
I suggest you Microsoft Authenticator app:

Microsoft Mobile Phone Authenticator | Microsoft Security

Protect your personal and business data from outside breaches by securely logging into any account with the Microsoft Authenticator app.
www.microsoft.com www.microsoft.com

MS authenticator is better than that of google because of additional security features that the other does not have.
 

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Twilio's Authy is good and works on Windows, iOS and Android.
 

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It should be kept in mind that if the OP loses his phone, having Microsoft Authenticator or any other such app (I use the Google variant - personal choice), then he also loses computer access to any accounts so configured unless he has securely saved the 2FA recovery codes for each app using 2FA on other than his phone.

Not appropriately saving your recovery codes can come back to bite you. He/she, if they lost their phone, would want to change the passwords on the 2FA accounts ASAP via a computer or other smart device in case a thief could gain login access to the phone.

Regards,
Phil
 

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@garioch7
MS authenticator can be set to be locked and requires phone password to unlock, so a thief would not be able to hack anything.
google authenticator is however wide open.
 

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Intel i3 8100 @3.6Ghz
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1920 x 1080
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SSD 500 GB Crucial MX500 / HDD 1 TB TOSHIBA DT01ACA100
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ATX, details unknown
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Everest 551B
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Mechanical Gaming Hydra R7 - Rampage
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Logitech G703
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Down: 28Mbps / Up: 19Mbps
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Microsoft Edge
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Microsoft Defender Antivirus
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Bluetooth: TP Link 5.0 Nano USB adapter UB500
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@zebal,

I did not know that, never having used Microsoft Authenticator, but the user would have to set up the auto-locking of that app. Would all users do that? I was just pointing out security vulnerabilities and pitfalls, particularly of not having secure access on multiple platforms to 2FA recovery codes.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil
 

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    BIOS Version 1.35.0
Yes you're right, recovery codes are important but they are saved to disk, and if that disk is connected to computer then security is lost, so should be keopt on offline disk or CD and put into safe.

Or printed to paper to avoid any connection with your device.
 
Last edited:

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Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel i3 8100 @3.6Ghz1 x 16GB DDR4 @2400 MHzNvidia GeForce GT 1030 2GB SDDR4
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI / MS-7B29
CPU
Intel i3 8100 @3.6Ghz
Motherboard
H310M PRO-VDH (MS-7B29)
Memory
1 x 16GB DDR4 @2400 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 2GB SDDR4
Sound Card
Realtek VEN_10EC&DEV_0887 / NVIDIA VEN_10DE&DEV_0081
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer V226HQL
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
SSD 500 GB Crucial MX500 / HDD 1 TB TOSHIBA DT01ACA100
PSU
ATX, details unknown
Case
Everest 551B
Cooling
details unknown
Keyboard
Mechanical Gaming Hydra R7 - Rampage
Mouse
Logitech G703
Internet Speed
Down: 28Mbps / Up: 19Mbps
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Other Info
Bluetooth: TP Link 5.0 Nano USB adapter UB500
WLAN: D-Link 150 Pico USB adapter, N standard
Web camera: Logitech C270 HD 720p @30fps
Microphone: Trust MICO, model 23790
kelper said:
Twilio's Authy is good and works on Windows, iOS and Android.
Click to expand...
I agree and if I am not mistaken, it's the only one that allows multi-device so should you lose one device, you can use another device to generate the codes. Places like Gemini seems to be tied to Authy directly.
 

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PC Mag has a good review of authenticators but it hard to see which is which as the headings are missing!
 

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System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics16GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Defender/Windows Security
    Other Info
    System 3

    Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8655
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    BIOS v1.17
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506Atom N450 1.66GHz2GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
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