[SOLVED] Do not upgrade Google Authenticator (iPhone), you will lose keys!

[Welsh]

Though I'm not a huge fan, I own an iPhone and don't care if the NSA can spy. On an ethical standpoint, it sucks. But in the end, I don't do anything that would warrant them sneaking into my affairs.

So many people have this attitude it's unreal. Why would you want someone to actually spy on you? It's a form of stalking which is actually illegal. For example, if you were on the toilet and someone opened the ceiling up would you welcome them and ask them to come and shit sit and talk? It doesn't matter if you got nothing to hide it's the breach of you're privacy which is the real concern.

[Frost000]

For example, if you were on the toilet and someone opened the ceiling up would you welcome them and ask them to come and shit sit and talk?

Depends who it was... 

But in all seriousness, I do understand that it's wrong and that we shouldn't "put up" with it, but some people just make too big a deal out of it. Just because they can spy on you doesn't mean they do.

[picobit]

Though I'm not a huge fan, I own an iPhone and don't care if the NSA can spy.

I do care, there is just so little I can do about it (outside the voting box every fourth year).  And is has no practical issues for me, I really doubt the NSA will steal my bitcoins, and I don't use them for anything they would be interested in.  But it does make me angry.  Very angry!.   And my own government seems to think it is OK the NSA (and who knows what other oh-so-friendly foreign agencies) spy on us.     

The main practical problem is if NSA introduces security holes that other evil hackers abuse. 

The main real issue is that by embracing the methods of the totalitarian state, we are dismantling our democracy.  Replacing my iPhone with an Android will not help 

[Rampion]

Tin foil hats, man... Tin foil hats.

Though I'm not a huge fan, I own an iPhone and don't care if the NSA can spy. On an ethical standpoint, it sucks. But in the end, I don't do anything that would warrant them sneaking into my affairs.

Do you really think so disgruntled NSA worker would go get your Google Authenticator codes? If you think so, you might as well play the lottery I think.

I don't have nothing to hide, but definitely I do care. I had iPhone in the past (very first versions) but I will never again, I prefer to have an android phone fully rooted and modified so the spooks have a hard time gathering info about me.

[cryptozark]

I have been using Authy after finding out the hard way the issues that Google Authenticator has.  Especially being an android user, I flash my rom semi-regularly just to test new things out.

However, I've seen a few people mention having backups of the QR code.  That seems like a great idea, but it honestly would not have occurred to me before reading this thread. I think maybe the major players that use two-factor authentication *should* have some sort of message telling users that they should keep a backup somehow by printing the QR code or other means.

[N[e]wBie]

any way to use yubikeys as well as GA for 2FA to avoid these kinds of things?

[Cattjones]

Sorry for reopening this thread! If i make a normal backup with itunes, it will save my google authenticator codes?

[goddyvips]

I'm a android user,does update will create problem because the app is made by google

[Cattjones]

I meaning if i loose my iphone, i can restore from backup with all data?

[jabo38]

I am a fan of Authy.  I have an old phone with Authy on it too, so if one is lost or stolen, I can still use the other. 

[jabo38]

Sorry for reopening this thread! If i make a normal backup with itunes, it will save my google authenticator codes?

Yes, I think so. You might want to select something about backing up app data.  I haven't done it myself, but I have had many apps, with data backed up. 

[abercrombie]

I meaning if i loose my iphone, i can restore from backup with all data?

Yes, make a screen shots of the QRC codes and back up the images offline every time you setup 2FA. 

That way, it's easy to add to a new devices when you replace or lose the previous one. 

[picobit]

Sorry for reopening this thread! If i make a normal backup with itunes, it will save my google authenticator codes?

Yes, I think so. You might want to select something about backing up app data.  I haven't done it myself, but I have had many apps, with data backed up. 

BE CAREFUL:  It will save your GA codes encrypted in a way so they can be restored ON THE SAME PHONE ONLY.  If you lose your phone, you cannot restore as far as I know (although admittedly I have not tried).  Write down the secret keys as you install them in GA, you cannot do it later.