How to Use LastPass Authenticator

When protecting an online account, don't settle for just a password. An authentication app adds an essential layer of security to keep hackers out. As an authentication app, LastPass Authenticator is quick to set up, easy to use, facilitates rapid logins, and creates a roadblock for bad actors without making it harder for you to log in. Here's what you need to know about LastPass Authenticator, how it works, and why you should have it in your cybersecurity toolkit.

What's an authentication app?

"Authentication" is a fancy word for "proving who you say you are."  Passwords are a common authentication method. Passwords prove who you are by showing that you have the correct information to access an account - in this case, a string of characters. A password is a static piece of information that you enter each time you want to log in and access an account. In contrast, an authentication app uses other information to prove who you say you are and facilitate a login. Typically, an authentication app relies on access to your phone, which only you have - or access to generated codes or other secondary information - to check who you are before granting access.  Take your LastPass vault. Your master password is a strong password you created, and only you know. But added protection with two-factor authentication means you enter your master password and then complete another quick login step before connecting to your vault. LastPass supports many popular authenticator apps, including our own LastPass Authenticator. With LastPass Authenticator, you receive a push notification on your phone. Tapping "Accept" completes the authentication process, and LastPass grants access to your vault. Alternatively, you can type in the 6-digit code generated on the LastPass Authenticator app to finish authenticating. You can use LastPass Authenticator with more than just your LastPass account. You can also enable LastPass Authenticator with websites, third-party apps, SSO apps in the workplace, and passwordless login for workstations. In fact, you can use LastPass Authenticator with most digital services that offer two-factor authentication in the security settings.  In short, LastPass Authenticator is an authentication app that you can use with LastPass and other services to prove you are who you say you are.

Why you need an authentication app

The trouble with a password is that anyone with the correct password can access an account. A password is a static piece of information that hackers can phish, copy, sell on the dark web, and otherwise use to authenticate to an account, even when they shouldn't be able to. An authentication app, in contrast, creates a few obstacles that are difficult for hackers to overcome. Two-factor authentication has evolved a lot over the years, and many user-friendly options are now available to help you increase the security of your digital accounts. An authentication app pairs your account to your phone, which hackers typically won't have physical access to. If only you have your phone, only you have access to the authenticator app.  Also, an authentication app generates login codes and push notifications in real-time. That means the information you use to authenticate is only available for a brief time before being unusable. By tying authentication to real-time data, an authentication app like LastPass Authenticator prevents a hacker from pretending to be you. An authentication app like LastPass adds an essential layer of security that prevents hackers from using stolen passwords to log in to your accounts. Without access to your phone and real-time authentication data, a hacker can't log in, even with the correct password. In contrast, you can quickly log in with a simple tap.

How LastPass Authenticator works

If you're not already using LastPass, now's a good time to download the password manager, start using stronger passwords, and improve your cybersecurity. Before you can enable LastPass Authenticator with your LastPass account, you need to download LastPass Authenticator from your phone's app store.  Then, you need to open your LastPass vault, launch your account settings, and enable LastPass Authenticator in your security settings.  You'll then pair the LastPass Authenticator app on your phone with your LastPass account. You can set up LastPass Authenticator to send you SMS text codes as a backup if you're in a situation where your phone can't receive push notifications on your device. Once done with those steps, LastPass Authenticator is actively protecting your account. The next time you log in to your vault, LastPass will send a push notification to your phone. Tapping "Approve" tells LastPass to complete the authentication process. To use LastPass Authenticator with other apps, workstations, or online accounts, you'll need to "pair" them with LastPass Authenticator. Then, you'll typically log in, locate the security settings for your account, select the option to turn on two-factor authentication, and follow the prompts to scan the QR code with the LastPass Authenticator app. Once complete, the account will prompt you to authenticate with LastPass Authenticator the next time you sign in. Ready to upgrade your security? Sign up for LastPass Premium and turn on LastPass Authenticator for convenient protection of your digital life.