Initially deployed as a premium feature of the eponymous password manager, Bitwarden Authenticator is now available as a standalone mobile application, free for everyone.
It’s official: Bitwarden has just launched its TOTP (Time based One Time Password) code generator. Available on Android and iOS, the application is accessible to all Internet users. An important step for the company specializing in account security, which intends to tread on the heels of competition already well established in the multi-factor authentication (MFA) sector, such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or Authy.
From a paid option to a free standalone
Bitwarden users knew it as a paid feature of the service. From now on, even non-subscribers will be able to benefit from it. Accessible without creating an account, Bitwarden Authenticator frees itself from the password manager and becomes an independent mobile application, still open source. In detail, the tool allows you to generate time-limited A2F codes, intended to strengthen the security of access to online accounts. From a practical point of view, anyone can associate as many MFA-protected accounts as desired using a QR code or by manually entering the associated URLs, identifiers and passwords. TOTP codes are renewed every 30 seconds and only accessible on the device that generates them.
Android users can also benefit from the synchronization and backup of their TOTP codes with their Google account. An option to activate manually which will allow them to identify themselves to their online spaces protected by two-factor authentication, even without their smartphone.
A busy roadmap for the months to come
If the main function of Bitwarden Authenticator is available for free with some advertising, the application also offers a paid version of the service. For €7.99 per month, subscribers benefit from end-to-end encryption, a built-in password manager, a private browser, biometric app unlock in addition to password protection , auto-lock and ad removal.
Bitwarden Authenticator cannot currently sync existing Bitwarden accounts. According to the roadmap presented by the company, this option should come in a second phase, shortly after the addition of an option to import A2F accounts from other MFA applications. Also announced, without a specific deadline, were support for two-factor authentication via push notification and methods for recovering a Bitwarden Authenticator account.
Source : Bitwarden
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