Dashlane’s authenticator app, Dashlane Authenticator, provides a simple way to turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) for your accounts.
You can use the Dashlane Authenticator app to add an extra layer of security for all of your 2-factor authentication (2FA) compatible accounts. The Authenticator app is the perfect addition to the Dashlane Password Manager. You can increase the security of your account with 2FA tokens, along with the convenient advantages of using both Dashlane apps.
What is MFA?
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires two or more factors or elements to validate a successful login. After you provide the factors, you're granted access to a website or app.
Three categories of factors or elements
- Knowlege: Something you know, such as the Master Password for your Dashlane account
- Possession: Something you have, such as a security token generated by an authenticator app on your device
- Inherence: Something you are, such as a biometric scan of your fingerprint or facial recognition
Why is MFA important?
In a nutshell, MFA increases the security of your accounts.
If you use MFA, nefarious people online are unlikely to have access to all the factors required to prove your identity for access to your accounts. If someone else makes an authentication attempt and at least one of the factors is missing or supplied incorrectly, your identity can't be verified.
For example, if someone obtains your Master Password and attempts to log in, an additional one-time passcode is required to be entered to verify the login attempt. This token gets sent to your email, or if you've established 2FA for your Dashlane account, as a rotating token on an authenticator app. As long as this unauthorized person doesn't have access to your token as well, your account remains secure.
Data released in the 2021 DBIR Master's Guide stated an 11% increase in phishing-related attacks— 85% of attacks caused by the human element and 61% in login-related attacks.
The use of MFA is becoming a must-have in today's climate. Dashlane Authenticator pairs the strength of MFA with the convenience of an intuitive and simple-to-use app.
What is Dashlane Authenticator?
Dashlane Authenticator is an app you can install on your Android and iOS devices. The app provides advanced security for your accounts and apps like other authenticator apps. After you connect the Dashlane Authenticator app to one of your 2FA-compatible accounts, the app generates a time-based one-time password (TOTP). The TOTP is a 6-digit number that changes automatically every 30 seconds.
Example: Option enabled for your bank account
- Unlock your computer with your password.
- On the bank website, enter your username and password.
- Unlock your Dashlane Authenticator app with biometrics on your phone.
- Enter the 2FA token generated in the app.
- Access your account.
Not only can you use Dashlane Authenticator to add an extra layer of security to the logins saved to your Dashlane Password Manager app, but also for the Password Manager app itself. You can also use Dashlane Authenticator as a standalone authentication app even if you don't use Dashlane Password Manager.
More in Dashlane Authenticator FAQ
Why use Dashlane Authenticator?
You can use Dashlane Authenticator like any other authentication app to increase the security of your account by retrieving 2FA tokens. You have added benefits if you use the Dashlane Password Manager app as well. If you aren't currently using Dashlane Password Manager, you can start a free trial with no commitment.
This table shows the current functions in the Dashlane Authenticator app and which functions will soon be available.
| Function | Details | Available now | Coming soon |
|
Standalone time-based one-time password (TOTP) handling |
The app generates a 6-digit token every 30 seconds for the accounts you've enabled 2FA for—ensuring that extra level of security. | ✓ | |
| Back up your tokens |
You know the problem if you've lost or upgraded a phone and your data didn't move over properly. We can take the device out of the equation if you back up your 2FA tokens with your Dashlane Password Manager app. You'll always have access to your 2FA tokens. *Note: If you want to secure your Dashlane Password Manager account with 2FA, that is the one account we will not store and sync across devices, as that would be like locking the keys in the car! |
✓ | |
| See all of your 2FA tokens in one place | The Authenticator app's main page shows all of your 2FA sites in a complete and easy-to-view list. Then you can select the site you want to see the token for. | ✓ | |
| See which of your saved websites offer 2FA | You won't have to hunt around the settings pages to check if a website supports 2FA. | ✓ | |
| Biometric pairing | When you download the Authenticator app, the app pairs automatically with your Dashlane Password Manager app. You use your biometric login for both. | ✓ | |
| Push to authenticate for new device logins instead of entering a 6-digit token from your email | When you use Dashlane Password Manager and set up a new device, such as a login to a new web browser, you normally receive a 6-digit token in your email that you're required to enter. With Dashlane Authenticator, you receive a push authentication message to verify the login attempt. You no longer have to enter a token. This workflow is only for accounts that don't have 2FA enabled. | ✓ | |
| Push to authenticate for new device logins—with 2FA enabled | This feature is the same as the feature discussed in the previous row but will be available for people who enable 2FA for their Dashlane Password Manager. | ✓ |
Getting started with Dashlane Authenticator
Dashlane Authenticator is now available for your mobile device.
Want more information about how to use the Authenticator app?
Dashlane Authenticator paired with Dashlane Password Manager
If both apps are installed on your mobile device with biometrics or the PIN enabled on Dashlane Password Manager, the two apps become linked. Any 2FA tokens you set up on either app appear in both locations for convenience.
Note: If you have 2FA for your Dashlane account established, the token only appears in Dashlane Authenticator.
When you enable 2FA for an account from Dashlane Authenticator and already have a Password Manager vault item for the account, such as a login for amazon.com, it automatically adds the 2FA token to the existing vault item. Now you can take advantage of autofill OTP features. If you have two vault items with the same website, such as two vault items for two different amazon.com accounts, Dashlane Authenticator asks which account you want to add the token to. You can add a new vault item as well.
When you add Dashlane to a new device, such as a new tablet app install or a new browser login, you receive a push authentication request on Dashlane Authenticator to accept or reject the login attempt. You no longer need to receive and enter the 6-digit token. You still have the option to receive the token by email.
Dashlane Authenticator as a standalone app
Set up 2FA token
For any website or service that offers 2FA, you can scan the QR code or manually enter the setup key into Dashlane Authenticator to establish 2FA for that website or service.
Don't forget that those websites and services require you to enter the 6-digit token you just received to confirm and finalize the setup.
Back up your tokens
After you set up your first 2FA token, you're prompted to back up your tokens to secure them in another location with Dashlane Password Manager. If you don't already use Dashlane Password Manager, you'll receive a free 30-day Premium trial. After the trial, you can maintain a free Password Manager account if you choose not to upgrade.