With 1Password, can I require multi-factor authentication for every time I use the main password?

greatsunrise

I am interested in requiring two-factor authentication (via text message) for any time I use the main password for anything at all -- even services that don't have that option normally. Possible?

Drew_AG

Hi @greatsunrise,

Thanks for your question! To make sure I understand, are you asking to use multi-factor authentication in order to unlock the 1Password app on your Mac?

If so, because 1Password is an encryption app and not a hosted service using authentication, classical approaches to multi-factor authentication won't work for us because unlocking your 1Password data is not about authenticating to some service. In other words, 1Password uses encryption, not authentication. If you're interested in more details, please check out this blog post: Two Factor or not Two Factor

We have more information about that in this knowledgebase article: Authentication vs. Encryption

If you have more questions about that (or if I misunderstood what you were asking) please let us know! :)

iZ_

Ok, I just read "Two factor or not two factor".
I agree that for most users is not important to have two-factor. But for power users, that want MORE safety, multi-factor is a necessity.
I've been using LastPass. But I'm leaving them since they recently announced their sale to LogMeIn. (As a majority of LastPass' users: https://forums.lastpass.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=185955)
I use Google Auntheticator as my second factor. And it works great!
I am also planning to buy a Fingerprint Reader for my Windows account (And to use with my main Password managing app)

The questions are:
-Do 1Password support Fingerprint Readers to open the vault? (On Windows and Android in my case)
-What are the chances of having Google Authenticator (that is free) as an option?

I hope to hear from you soon, as I'm choosing which password manager I'm going to be using in the future.

Thanks,

iZ

Drew_AG

Hi @iZ_,

Thanks for your questions! Although you've already read Two Factor or not Two Factor on our blog, you should also take a look at this knowledgebase article: Authentication vs. Encryption

As it states near the beginning of that article, "1Password works through encryption, not through authentication." The rest of the article helps to explain the difference between a password manager like 1Password and some other password managers that are web-based services.

I've been using LastPass.

LastPass is a web-based service, which means they store your data somewhere on their servers. An authentication-based system is used in order for you to access your data on their servers.

1Password is not a web-based service - it never sends your password data to us. By default, all your 1Password data is stored locally on your device. That is part of what makes 1Password different from services that use authentication to grant access to your data.

I hope this all makes sense, but I think it's all explained much better in the Authentication vs. Encryption knowledgebase article, so make sure to take a look at that.

To answer your other questions:

-Do 1Password support Fingerprint Readers to open the vault? (On Windows and Android in my case)

No, fingerprint scanners for Windows or Android are not currently supported in 1Password.

-What are the chances of having Google Authenticator (that is free) as an option?

Are you asking about being able to use Google Authenticator as a means of multifactor authentication to unlock 1Password? If so, hopefully the Authentication vs. Encryption knowledgebase article helps to explain why that doesn't apply.

If you have more questions about that, please let us know! :)