Proton releases a new app for two-factor authentication

Privacy-focused productivity tool company Proton released a new authenticator app today, allowing users to log in to services using dynamically generated two-factor codes.

The free app is available on all platforms starting today, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. The app allows you to sync codes and accounts across devices. The company said that just like its other products, Proton Authenticator is open-sourced and uses end-to-end encryption to protect user data.

Users can easily import login codes from other authentication apps, the company said. Plus, the app automatically backs up code and also works without any internet connection.

“Two-factor authentication is essential for everyone – not just those who care about their privacy. Proton Authenticator is built for anyone who wants a secure, transparent and convenient way to protect their accounts,” Eamonn Maguire, Head of Account Security at Proton, said in a statement.

“We believe strong security should never come at the cost of your convenience or privacy. That’s why we’ve developed Proton Authenticator: to give users peace of mind that their 2FA codes are available wherever they need them, without relying on Google or Microsoft. We’re putting users firmly in control not only over their data, but the way they access their online accounts,” he added.

Two-factor authentication using an app provides users with an extra layer of security to prevent attackers from taking over accounts. While SMS-based two-factor authentication is another option, it is often vulnerable to SIM swapping attacks, in which attackers could intercept your calls and messages.

Proton is on a product-releasing spree. Earlier this week, the company launched a privacy-focused AI chatbot named Lumo, which doesn’t keep any conversation records or use user data to train models.