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What's w Two Factor Authentication?

blackxacto

blackxacto

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 15, 2009
1,266
152
Middle TN
I want to sign into Reddit where I successfully set up 2FA a few weeks ago. In between, I had to reload Google Authenticator, and finally I loaded Authy apps on my iPhone SE.

The first time I did 2FA here I received a QR image, aimed the SE at it and got in. I cannot get Reddit to either send me a code or a QR image now. Does anyone know what went wrong? How to get Reddit to send a code or another QR image so I can get back in?

Basically I have done something wrong, would anyone clue me into what I should have done?
 
Did you try turning off 2FA completely, then turning it back on? Or are you saying that you can't login now to turn it off?
 
Well, would you explain to me how the structure of 2FA is, I mean Id like to know what is happening. Where would I turn this 2FA off? Does it turn 2FA off on my Mac? Don't laugh. Im just confused where things are. I followed the instructions to set up 2FA on this site, used my authenticator app. But I can't get into Reddit to turn anything off if 2FA is there. Don't laugh at me.
 
Your code should be in your Google Authenticator app
Open it up, and you should see Reddit or whatever else you set up in Authenticator
Each will have code that counts down and times out and then resets to another code

Enter the Reddit code on the website
 
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There is nothing in either authenticator Google A. and Authy. What am I suppose to see there? It just says "Begin Setup" I thought I already had.

I did. Ive already done the 2FA for reddit. Why doesn't Authenticator show reddit asking to be authenticated? Authenticator is empty. I am asked to "Begin Setup", there is no 6 figure code that reddit is demanding.

Maybe Reddit has screwed up and has stopped sending codes to this stupid Authenticator?
[doublepost=1544821580][/doublepost]I will never use 2FA again on any website except Apple.
 
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blackxacto said:
There is nothing in either authenticator Google A. and Authy. What am I suppose to see there? It just says "Begin Setup" I thought I already had.

I did. Ive already done the 2FA for reddit. Why doesn't Authenticator show reddit asking to be authenticated? Authenticator is empty. I am asked to "Begin Setup", there is no 6 figure code that reddit is demanding.

Maybe Reddit has screwed up and has stopped sending codes to this stupid Authenticator?
[doublepost=1544821580][/doublepost]I will never use 2FA again on any website except Apple.
Click to expand...
You didn’t set something up correctly. If you set everything up in the Google Authenticator app, and then deleted and reinstalled Authenticator, you will have lost everything you set up and you’ll need to go to the sites where you did set up 2-factor authentication and research how to reset your account to log in. This process will vary for each site.
 
So how to I get back into Reddit, which always asks me for an authentication code before allowing me in? I swear I will never use this 2FA again.
 
I fill in my reddit username & password, then click the link to send a code. Nothing is in Authenticator apps, no where.
Again, how do I get into reddit


I have the 10 codes for Authenticator I was to keep. None of them work in the reddit code blank.
 
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You deleted your 2FA tokens, so forget about using the authenticator apps now. It's the same as if you lost/destroyed your phone, so at the link provided to you above, see this section:

What do I do If I lost my phone or can’t login with two-factor authentication?
 
I have the 10 codes I was to keep. None of them work in the reddit code blank.
ActionableMango said:
You deleted your 2FA tokens, so forget about using the authenticator apps now. It's the same as if you lost/destroyed your phone, so at the link provided to you above, see this section:

What do I do If I lost my phone or can’t login with two-factor authentication?
Click to expand...
 
blackxacto said:
Basically I have done something wrong, would anyone clue me into what I should have done?
Click to expand...

You removed the Google Authenticator, which lost all of your "tokens" (the second factor you need to log in).
[doublepost=1544841921][/doublepost]
blackxacto said:
I have the 10 codes for Authenticator I was to keep. None of them work in the reddit code blank.
Click to expand...

"Codes for Authenticator" doesn't quite make sense to me, so to be clear, at Reddit you had previously generated backup codes, and none of those backup codes work now?
 
ActionableMango said:
You removed the Google Authenticator, which lost all of your "tokens" (the second factor you need to log in).
[doublepost=1544841921][/doublepost]

"Codes for Authenticator" doesn't quite make sense to me, so to be clear, at Reddit you had previously generated backup codes, and none of those backup codes work now?
Click to expand...

Yes, the 10 codes I was to keep DO NOT WORK to sign into reddit. I’ve never used them before this issue. If this is the best 2FA can do. I want no part of it.
 
blackxacto said:
Yes, how helpful. Perhaps you can help some more by telling me how I am to report this to Reddit?
Click to expand...
There is a link on the Reddit support page I referenced earlier. Nobody but Reddit can help you with this, and even they may not be able to.
 
blackxacto said:
Where would I turn this 2FA off? Does it turn 2FA off on my Mac?
Click to expand...

"Your Mac" does not have "2FA". There is nothing to turn on or off on "your Mac". Though you can optionally turn on 2FA for your Apple ID. But turning 2FA on or off for your Apple ID has nothing to do with turning it on or off for Reddit.

2FA is a generic term. It's not a specific app or setting or OS feature. It means "2-factor authentication".

Password authentication is "1-factor" authentication. 2-factor adds an additional factor.

Typically factors are drawn from:

- something you know
- something you are
- something you have

When you use a debit card at an ATM you are using 2FA. You have the card, and you know the PIN.

How you "turn off" 2FA is specific to every thing that uses it. You might not even be able to turn it off. You CANNOT turn off 2FA for your use of your debit card at an ATM.

Common second factors include:

- one-time PIN sent to your phone ("something you have" is your phone)
- time-based one-time password ("pin pad" security devices and Google Authenticator are in this category)
- iris scan ("something you are")
- face ID (ditto)
- fingerprint scan (ditto)

Bottom line is it is specific to each use case.

But...

If you think you need the security level of 2FA to protect a Reddit account ... you've got bigger problems! ;)
 
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If you think you need the security level of 2FA to protect a Reddit account ... you've got bigger problems! ;)[/QUOTE]

Had Reddit turn OFF 2FA. Won't be using that anymore, unless forced to, and can't live wo it.
 
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