autentificeringsapp

An autentificeringsapp, or authentication app, is a software application designed to facilitate secure user verification. These apps generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) or display security codes that users input alongside their regular login credentials, such as a username and password. This process, often referred to as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), adds an extra layer of security by requiring something the user knows (password) and something the user has (the device running the app).

Popular examples of autentificeringsapps include Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy. They work by using a shared secret key between the authentication app and the service it's verifying against. This secret key, combined with the current time, is used to generate a unique, short-lived code. Because the code changes every 30 to 60 seconds, it is very difficult for unauthorized individuals to intercept and reuse.

The primary benefit of using an autentificeringsapp is enhanced security against account takeovers, phishing attacks, and credential stuffing. By requiring a second factor of authentication, even if a password is compromised, the attacker would still need access to the user's device running the app to gain entry. Many online services and applications offer support for authentication apps as a security option for their users.