[Patentpractice] Authy Desktop App Sunset Notice, March 19, 2024

[Jim Larsen]

I have for years enjoyed use of SAASPASS<https://saaspass.com/> for its password storage, authenticator and secure notes.  Cross-platform, free (for personal use).  I haven’t used the single sign-on (proximity or QR) authorization feature, but could see that being useful.

Best regards,

-Jim

James C. Larsen
Attorney
Larsen IP PLLC
p: 425.298.6846
e: jim at Larsen-IP.com<mailto:jim at Larsen-IP.com>
w. www.Larsen-IP.com<http://www.Larsen-IP.com>

NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this email, including any attachments, is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) or entity named herein. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or authorized agent, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Unintended recipients are requested to notify the sender immediately and to permanently delete this e-mail, any attachments, and copies.


From: Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> on behalf of Scott Nielson via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:07 AM
To: for users of EFS-Web and patent practitioners generally <efs-web at oppedahl-lists.com>, PCT Oppedahl list serve <pct at oppedahl-lists.com>, Carl Oppedahl via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Cc: Scott Nielson <scnielson at outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [Patentpractice] Authy Desktop App Sunset Notice, March 19, 2024
I store all 2FA info in two apps—Bitwarden and Microsoft Authenticator. This way, if I lose access to one, I can always revert to the other. Both apps encrypt the information and back it up to the cloud.

The 2FA feature in Bitwarden requires a subscription ($10/yr). I use it as my main authenticator because it is available on my phone and through the Bitwarden browser extension. I use MS Authenticator as a backup because the firm uses it for account authentication, it is free, and it works well enough as a backup. MS Authenticator is mainly a phone app that syncs to the cloud so that if you lose your phone, you can reinstall it on a new phone and restore the information. It isn't a good app for daily use.


Scott Nielson

801-660-4400

________________________________
From: Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> on behalf of Rick Neifeld via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 9:24 AM
To: for users of EFS-Web and patent practitioners generally <efs-web at oppedahl-lists.com>; PCT Oppedahl list serve <pct at oppedahl-lists.com>; Carl Oppedahl via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Cc: Rick Neifeld <rneifeld at neifeld.com>
Subject: [Patentpractice] Authy Desktop App Sunset Notice, March 19, 2024

Colleagues - Authy is the 2FA Authenticator App I have used for years due to its end to end encryption sync-ability across platforms.
Today I received a "Desktop App Sunset Notice" in an update to Authy, noting a March 19, 2024 end of life for the Authy desktop authenticator app.  The mobile app on Android will continue to function. That means Authy would be limited to mye mobile Android (and for others to their Apply versions).

Do you have a recommendation for a replacement 2FA authenticator that syncs cross-platform (at least Windows and Android) and has end to end encryption?

Twilio, Authy's owner, kindly suggested trying one of the following desktop authenticator alternatives.  I have not explored these alternatives; do not know if they sync cross-platform and have a mobile app version.


https://authenticator.cc/
https://steptwo.app/
https://secrets.app/
https://keepassxc.org/
https://support.1password.com/one-time-passwords/

Any other comments in the 2FA issue are welcome. My concerns are security, usability, and reliability.  I have always been concerned with being locked out of a substantive online service as a result of the corresponding 2FA service becoming unavailable, which is what I consider a reliability issue.
--

Best regards, Rick Neifeld, Ph.D., Patent Attorney
Neifeld IP Law PLLC
9112 Shearman Street, Fairfax VA 22032-1479, United States
Office: 1-7034150012
Mobile: 1-7034470727
Fax: 1-5712810045
Email: rneifeld at neifeld.com<mailto:rneifeld at neifeld.com>
and richardneifeld at gmail.com<mailto:richardneifeld at gmail.com>
Web: https://neifeld.com/
This is NOT a confidential communication of counsel. If you are not the intended recipient, delete this email and notify the sender that you did so.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20240213/36629d90/attachment.htm>