Privacy and security are becoming big priorities in today’s digital world, and protecting your online accounts is a top concern. No one really wants their passwords or authentication credentials falling into the wrong hands, and happening more and more as we store and transmit data online is moving towards the center of this threat. Two Factor Authentication (2FA) is one of the main ways to safeguard your accounts — it adds a layer of protection beyond your password.
Here we talk about a free Windows application that acts a bit like the Google Authenticator to improve your account security but with some unique features that give you more control and flexibility.
Strong passwords aren’t enough.
Creating complex, unique passwords on each platform is absolutely crucial, but it’s often not enough. Using the same password for different services or depending only on a password makes you more open to hacking. That’s where two factor authentication (2FA) comes into play – 2FA means you need a password and a second, time sensitive code that changes every few seconds. It means even if someone knows your password, they can’t access that account.
Meet 2fast: Free, open source, 2FA solution for Windows.
The free 2fast for Windows app allows you to easily 2FA your online accounts. Like other ones, this app is available directly from Microsoft Store, following the standard time-based one-time password (TOTP) algorithm. What makes it different, is that it’s open source, where the code is open to be reviewed to that you can be sure it will not contain vulnerabilities, giving a bit more peace of mind as you wouldn’t want to run a piece of proprietary, commercial software, on your smart device with the sums that we carry.
The 2fast provides key benefits of account protection.
A standout feature of 2fast is that it does not depend on the cloud like so many of today’s 2FA tools. In other words, it means your data is stored locally or wherever you want, so you are in full control of the data of your authentication details. Here are some of the key benefits:
- No Cloud Dependency: With this approach, you can save encrypted authentication data locally, putting your 2FA codes and keys completely at your own control.
- Customizable Storage: You decide how and where you want to store your authentication information when building the program, whether locally, or within a secure cloud environment.
- Open Source: The software is open source, and thus, its trustworthy and can be reviewed by security experts.
- Time-Sensitive Codes: What happens is that the app generates a new security code every few seconds, making sure it’s hard for anyone to access your accounts.
Setting Up and Using 2fast
To start using the 2fast app, follow these simple steps:
- Download and Install: Just head to the Microsoft Store, sign into your computer, and download the 2fast app.
- Create a New Account: Next, install the system, and create another personal account where it will store your security data.
- Choose Storage Location: You will be able to store your encrypted authentication keys locally or in the cloud.
- Add Online Accounts: Once you get it set up you can begin adding the online platforms that you wish to protect. With the app I will be able to get access to these 2FA codes for secure access.
Once you have already been using 2fast you can load up your encrypted file and be using your stored keys on a new device in seconds. This is especially handy when you get a new PC and you can directly move all of your authentication settings from one to the other.
2fast Why it’s a Great Alternative to Mobile 2FA Apps
Most of us are familiar with using 2FA apps on mobile devices, but 2fast lets you manage your two-factor authentication codes right from your Windows PC. In addition, this can be a big plus for those who like dealing with security from a desktop environment, or if in a situation where a mobile device is not available.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to online threats, they come up with new ones all the time. How does this help its users to protect your account? By using a 2FA solution like 2fast, you allow yourself an easy and effective way of protecting your account. Making use of its open source nature and local storage, this free Windows app makes for a great alternative to cloud based 2FA tools, allowing you to be more independent and secure.
Using this tool will put you one step ahead in securing account from unauthorized access.