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Hot take: I had to choose between two-factor authentication methods after a close call
Last month I almost got my gaming account hijacked on Steam, so I finally had to pick between using an authenticator app on my phone or getting a physical security key. I went with the authenticator app because it was free and I always have my phone on me. Has anyone else had to decide between these two approaches and regret not picking the other one?
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lisas782d ago
I see it a little different honestly. That phone bricking story is rough but that could happen with a physical key too if you lose it or it gets damaged. I've been using the authenticator app for two years now and I just make sure to keep my backup codes updated every few months in a couple different places - one in my safe and one with my brother. The app lets me get into my accounts faster than fumbling for a USB key, especially when I'm on my work computer that has all the ports blocked. I think people overlook how much easier it is to recover from a lost phone than a lost security key, because you can always get a new SIM card and reinstall the app instead of ordering new hardware and waiting for shipping.
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parker_hall52d ago
I went authenticator app too for the same reason, it's literally in my pocket all the time. But three months in I realized the app dependency thing is real. My phone bricked randomly and I had to go through Steam support for three days to get back in. Had backup codes saved in a drawer but they were from two years ago and didn't work. The physical key would have just plugged into a USB port and worked instantly without needing anything else. If you travel or switch phones often the authenticator app will bite you eventually. I'm saving up for a Yubikey now even though it's annoying to carry another thing.
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