Swiss company Proton is known for its various services and apps, where privacy and security are top priorities. A new Proton Authenticator app has now been released, which you can use for two-factor authentication, or 2FA.
Proton Authenticator app released
Proton has released a new free app: Proton Authenticator. This tool allows you to further secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA), an important second layer besides your password. It is also known as two-step verification.
While other authenticators often use closed software and offer limited export options, Proton takes an open-source approach with strong end-to-end encryption. This allows you to securely store, sync and easily move your 2FA codes between devices. The app is available for Apple iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux, and also works offline.
With Proton Authenticator, you can:
- Use your 2FA codes on both mobile and desktop
- Enable automatic, encrypted backups
- Easily import or export existing tokens
- Secure your access with biometrics or a PIN code
A key difference with SMS codes is that Authenticator generates codes locally on your device, making it much harder for attackers to take over your account. Each code is also only valid for 30 seconds.
Proton already offers a 2FA feature in Proton Pass, but this new standalone app is aimed at users looking for a standalone, extra secure solution. It allows you to choose how you protect your accounts:
- Proton Pass: useful if you want your 2FA codes automatically populated with your passwords.
- Proton Authenticator: extra secure, with a separate app for your codes and support for multiple devices.
Like the other Proton services (Mail, VPN, Drive), Authenticator is open source and available for free. With this, Proton aims to contribute to a safer internet, where privacy is a right and users are not dependent on ad-driven or closed software.
You can download Proton Authenticator now and use it immediately for your existing accounts.
