Tech Company Leaks 2FA Codes/Password Reset Links for Major Platforms

Squire1039@lemm.ee to Technology@lemmy.world – 376 points – A leaky database spilled 2FA codes for the world's tech giants | TechCrunch
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A security breach exposed two-factor authentication (2FA) codes/password reset links for millions of users on platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok.

Key Points:

  • YX International, an SMS routing company, left an internal database exposed online without a password.
  • The database contained one-time 2FA codes and password reset links for various tech giants.
  • YX International secured the database and claims to have "sealed the vulnerability."
  • The company wouldn't confirm how long the database was exposed or if anyone else accessed it.
  • Representatives from Meta, Google, and TikTok haven't commented yet.

Concerns:

  • This leak highlights the vulnerabilities of SMS-based 2FA compared to app-based methods.
  • The lack of information regarding the leak's duration and potential access by others raises concerns.

Gemini Recommendations:

  • Consider switching to app-based 2FA for increased security.
  • Be cautious of suspicious communications and avoid clicking unknown links.
  • Stay informed about potential security breaches affecting your online accounts.
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I still use Authy, I know it's frowned upon in the privacy community but it's worked well enough for me so far. With them shutting down their desktop app though I see no reason not to switch to Aegis at some point in the near future. Just a pain in the backside setting it all up again as Authy doesn't let you export your 2FA.

If you have a rooted phone, Aegis can import from several other apps, including Authy, automatically.

But don't try to root your unrooted phone to unlock that capability. Rooting requires wiping the device, so you lose your data in the process.

But authy can backup your codes, so nothing will be lost

Last time I used Authy, you had to sync codes to another device, IIRC. Still, most peoples' phones have a lot more than just auth codes on them. My warning was meant to address all those other data, too.

But now that I think about it, wiping and rooting a fresh/temporary device, syncing Authy, exporting with Aegis, then importing back to your main device would work...

Authy was fantastic, I don't know why it would be frowned on; they thought through security very carefully.

That said, I recently transitioned everything to 1password TOTP or passkey; Authy is killing its desktop app.