Managing accounts with two-factor authentication can be inconvenient if you don’t have your designated verification device. With NordPass Authenticator, you can easily access your accounts wherever you are, without needing extra authentication apps
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The challenges of two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an effective way to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. Once you enter your login details, 2FA is triggered, requiring you to verify it’s actually you trying to access the account. This efficient measure helps you hold ground against brute-force attacks, protects your personal accounts from unauthorized access, and keeps you alerted about unusual login attempts.
There’s just one caveat — two-factor authentication is usually device dependent. That means you must have your authentication token with you at all times in case you get unexpectedly logged out or need to access an account on the go. The inconvenience of requiring a specific device can discourage users from setting up 2FA in the first place, making their accounts likely targets in attacks. Some 2FA methods also face security flaws. SMS verification, for instance, can be more convenient but is vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks.
NordPass Authenticator offers a secure solution for those inconvenient moments. Within a single app, you can access your login credentials and the time-based one-time passwords you need to log in to your accounts, no matter where you are. Your authentication codes are synchronized within your account, letting you access them on the mobile app or browser extension.
What is NordPass Authenticator?
NordPass Authenticator is a feature that lets you have additional verification to secure accounts on top of strong passwords. You can store and generate two-factor codes directly in the app for each of your accounts without relying on third-party authentication apps.
Business users are already familiar with Authenticator as a feature that allows them to secure corporate accounts with built-in two-factor code generation. We’re excited to expand this feature to our Premium users, who can also start protecting their accounts with 2FA while using NordPass.
How does NordPass Authenticator work?
NordPass Authenticator lets you seamlessly log in to accounts secured with two-factor authentication. You can set up two-factor codes for any password in your vault. Once you enter the login credentials, you can use biometrics to access your verification code inside NordPass and autofill it in the authentication field to sign in even faster.
Why NordPass Authenticator?
NordPass Authenticator is an easier way to manage your accounts while keeping their security level high. It’s a convenient solution for accessing crucial information in fast-paced situations, and you don’t need to worry about resetting accounts or searching for recovery codes.
Convenience and flexibility
NordPass Authenticator lets you conveniently centralize account management and forget the fuss of copying and pasting authentication codes before they expire. Keep all your two-factor codes listed alongside your passwords, ensuring you can find everything you need in one place.
You no longer have to worry about losing an authentication key, upgrading phones, or downloading third-party apps — all your codes are ready to use in one place. All you need to access your credentials is the NordPass app or browser extension and yourself for the biometric verification. Then, once you log in, you can autofill the two-time codes just as you usually do with your login details.
Ever need to share an account that’s protected with 2FA? With NordPass, you don’t need to worry about quickly relaying the ever-changing one-time codes to a peer. Instead, you can simply share the password with another user, and they’ll be able to use their biometric authentication on their device, keeping it efficient and safe.
Robust security
Two-factor authentication can be a crucial step in keeping your accounts secure, which is why you need to ensure robust protection for the one-time codes. If your authentication device is stolen, cybercriminals may be able to easily see and use your 2FA codes.
With NordPass, you can rely on strong protection for both your passwords and two-factor codes. NordPass uses XChaCha20 encryption and zero-knowledge architecture to protect every item stored in your vault, while the biometric factor confirms you're the one using the two-factor codes, preventing unauthorized access. On top of that, you can manage the autolock settings to keep your NordPass account locked away from snoopers, even if they get hold of your phone or computer.
NordPass Authenticator combines three authentication types to build on robust protection: something you know (the Master Password to access your NordPass account), something you have (the device with the NordPass app or extension), and something you are (your biometric authentication). If even one of these elements is missing, your two-factor codes can’t be accessed.
How to set up NordPass Authenticator
NordPass Authenticator is available for all Premium and Family users on the browser extension as well as the iOS and Android apps. To switch on NordPass Authenticator, you’ll first need to add biometrics to your account:
Locate a password item in your vault and select “Edit.”
Select “Add two-factor code.”
If this is your first time using Authenticator, you need to switch on biometrics to proceed.
Then, you’ll be sent an email with the verification code. Enter this code in NordPass.
That’s it! You can now start storing two-factor codes in NordPass.
Alternatively, you can switch on Authenticator in the NordPass browser extension settings:
In the NordPass settings, locate “Item security.”
Toggle on “Use NordPass Authenticator in this browser.”
Switch on biometrics to proceed with the setup.
You’ll receive an email with the verification code. Enter it in NordPass to finalize the setup.
You can now store and generate two-factor codes using the browser extension.
Whenever you want to add a new two-factor code to an account, you can do so easily by editing the password item in your vault and selecting “Two-factor code.” Then, paste the security key provided by the website of that account and save. Each time you log in, you’ll find the authentication code in NordPass. If you log in using the browser extension, you’ll be able to autofill the 2FA code as you would any other password.
Broaden your personal security landscape with NordPass
NordPass Authenticator for Premium users has been a much-requested and long-awaited feature — and it’s just one of our extensive security features.
NordPass offers all-around security for your personal accounts, continuously monitoring your information on the dark web with Data Breach Scanner and detecting vulnerable credentials with Password Health. In addition to passwords, passkeys, and secure notes, you can store your personal documents and set reminders for important dates and renewals.