2FA - useful or hindrance?

[haploid23]

2 Factor Authentication is more widely used than it use to be. Some sites, such as Coinbase, force you to use it, while other sites are optional.

I definitely see the usefulness in this type of log in, however I have not fully adopted it when optional because depending on the situation, it's as much of a hindrance as it is useful. If you lose your phone or get it stolen, then it's a major inconvenience to access your accounts. It greatly increases security measure, but it can greatly screw you as well. Anyone else turned off by this double-edge sword?

[jay_pilch]

You can always send in a photo ID with a picture of yourself to circumvent losing 2FA details.

2FA is necessary in my opinion. You may find it a hindrance at the moment, however if your account got bruted/phished/etc, your opinion may change in an instant.

[Ludi]

2factor is great, but there are ways to protect yourself against problems. I prefer 2 factor that sends a code to your mobile phone. I think that's one of the safest ways. If you lose your phone you can always get the same number back. With apps like google auth there's ways to get them back too if you lose your phone. Just make sure you know how to get access back if you do.

[Bit-Gods]

2FA saved a lot of people from hack. I was one of them.

[Ludi]

2FA saved a lot of people from hack. I was one of them.

Everytime I see someone complaining about how they've lost all their money in a hacking I or somebody else will ask if they had two factor set up and their answer is always "no". Please set it up and protect yourself by making sure you can get access back just incase something happens to your access.

[PolarPoint]

2FA is troublesome, but is a necessary evil we have to put up with to protect our money. Most user passwords are too weak and are useless against keyloggers. Would you rather loose you money instead?

[Hazir]

While it is true that it a hindrance of some sort. I has its flaw and its not perfect but what is better way to secure your accounts right now? 2FA is just lesser evil in my opinion.

[minerpumpkin]

It needs to be as seldom as possible, since for a security feature to be accepted, it needs to be easier to actually use the feature than just to circumvent (disable) it. But for withdrawals or important actions 2FA should be mandatory! It really can save your life's savings!

[Malin Keshar]

I use only if its mandatory or for big values - 10+ bitcoins. Otherwise can be more a trouble than a protection

[minerpumpkin]

I use only if its mandatory or for big values - 10+ bitcoins. Otherwise can be more a trouble than a protection

That's a lot of money! Why do you keep more than 10 bitcoins on exchanges or online wallets to begin with?

[Malin Keshar]

I use only if its mandatory or for big values - 10+ bitcoins. Otherwise can be more a trouble than a protection

That's a lot of money! Why do you keep more than 10 bitcoins on exchanges or online wallets to begin with?

I have less than half of that, so at the moment I don't use.

[Bitsaurus]

If you're going to be on an exchange with any noticeable presence, 2FA is a must.  Well, a must if you expect your money to be there every time you log on.  If it's cumbersome maybe you shouldn't be trading

[koshgel]

Different kinds of 2FA are available besides cell phone but any extra layers of security for sensitive things is obviously a good thing. The negatives you mentioned can be easily avoided.

[CoinsCoinsEverywhere]

I like having the option of using 2FA, but under most circumstances, I hate being forced to use it.  I generally find it to be more of a pain than useful, especially when pools have it.  I really hate it when pools make you check your e-mail to enable account detail changes.  Sure, it's nice and secure, but I don't care--it's not worth the trouble for me.  My hash rate is pretty low, and I typically check on my mining at least once a day, so if someone hacked one of my pool accounts, I'd lose less than a day's worth of mining profits, which is maybe a couple of bucks.  I use strong passwords (truly random character strings), and I've never had a problem.

However, I do appreciate 2FA on Coinbase, and I'd probably use it there even if it weren't required.  Additionally, they have a nice hybrid system where you have the security of 2FA with the convenience of only having to authenticate with 2FA once every 30 days.

[bitbaby]

2 Factor Authentication is more widely used than it use to be. Some sites, such as Coinbase, force you to use it, while other sites are optional.

I definitely see the usefulness in this type of log in, however I have not fully adopted it when optional because depending on the situation, it's as much of a hindrance as it is useful. If you lose your phone or get it stolen, then it's a major inconvenience to access your accounts. It greatly increases security measure, but it can greatly screw you as well. Anyone else turned off by this double-edge sword?

I understand your point totally, as useful and important it is, sometimes it is difficult/impossible to get into accounts such as coinbase when they're having trouble sending sms.

[Lethn]

I can understand the reasons behind using it but I guess you could take the same attitude to airport security, I think there's a line you cross where the security measures just become completely unnecessary.

[Sydboy]

if you can not spare 3 seconds to type in 2FA key you need to re asses you time management skills.
it should be a priority!

[Bitsaurus]

if you can not spare 3 seconds to type in 2FA key you need to re asses you time management skills.
it should be a priority!

Up above I said people shouldn't be lazy with it on needed sites, but it's a lot more than 3 seconds in most cases.  Even if the phone was next to me it takes about 5-10 seconds, and if the phone is not next to me sometimes it's a 1-5 min hunt for the phone

[sj2199]

2fa is useful if we have large amount of money in our acount or the data is sensible..then it feels good to have it
but  it becomes irritating for signing in to small accounts

[jump4ever]

2FA saved me many times from being hacked so for me it's pretty useful.