I have an old style physical authenticator(the cool one with the corehound on it hehe).
Is it any less secure than the newer way.
IMO it seems like it would be more secure than an app on my phone.
Either way I will never stop using one, i have only ever had one account problem and having that extra step would have made that not happen if I had been smarter about things sooner.
No, it isn’t any less secure than the software authenticator.
Here are the drawbacks of the physical key:
That’s … fine? You can use whichever authenticator strikes your fancy.
Personally I use the software one because I don’t worry much about security on my phone. It’s always on me, and if I do lose it, someone having access to my authenticator codes would be about seventh on my list of things to “fix” after losing my phone.
Plus, who the heck am I? Just some random dude. If I did lose my phone, the odds are astronomically against that the person picking it up even plays WoW, much less that they’re looking to hack into a WoW account. Further, since I have the serial number and restore code written down here outside of my phone, I can just remove or disable the authenticator once I realize my phone is missing.
But that’s just me. You do you, and of course, pick which method you like the most.
Thanks for the reply.
I was aware of the battery thing.
I even posted when I got it “What if The Battery Dies” they told me it should last a long time and that was back in like 3.3 I think lol.
If i end up having trouble I won’t have a choice but to switch.
Biggest security thing with mine is that it stays put up and only my Girlfriend and Daughter really know where I keep it, no one goes in my room if they do come over(I have a wood shed converted to a man cave wit ha big flat screen lol).
My phone however goes everywehre with me and I hve to get a new one at least every 6 months because I drop them in the garage and step on em or they get kicked into something lol(some of us love the idea of cheap Android devices).
Yeah I have heard people saying theirs lasted seven, eight, ten years. Long time!
I still use the physical Auth as well. However, it is very important to set up SMS protect (phone text message thing) so that when it dies that you can remove it yourself. At that point you will have to put the Mobile Auth onto it.
To do that you would install the auth from either iphone or google play store (Free). Set it up. WRITE DOWN the Restore Code and Serial number somewhere safe. That lets you put it on any other devices you want, or restore it if you get a new phone/software reset.
The SMS Protect phone setup is now required to set up the mobile Auth so might as well have it on there to be sure you have the tool to remove your own physical one when the time comes.
Fingers crossed it does not come soon. They are rated for 7 years of average use but we rarely need to generate a code so hopefully we get more time with them.
I am not sure what you mean “so you can remove it yourself”.
I can do that already, go look in your account options O.o.
Not sure why you want me to put an app (they all have trackers lets not asruge the point)on my phone like me being bride for what is is 4 extra bag slots?
If the time comes ihave no choice but until then dont try and talk it up.
You can if it is still in your hands and working. If the battery dies or you lose it then you need to remove it using the text message setup, OR have a CS rep do it after sending in identification documents.
I still use the keychain myself. I did not “talk it up”, and I am sorry if you took instructions for later as encouragement.
SMS Protect is not an app. It is giving Blizzard your phone number so they can text you for security purposes. Same as any other company like your doctor sending you a text appointment reminder.
Mirasol is just a player like you and I. They don’t “want” you to do anything.
You can feel that the software authenticator isn’t worth it. That’s fine. But when you come here and ask, we’re going to give you the straight-up advantages and disadvantages of using each.
It can and will be “talked up” by people who prefer that method. I would have “talked it up” myself (the software authenticator is vastly superior to the physical one, for my purposes and IMVHO) but I sensed in your OP that you already had some pre-existing dissatisfaction with the software key. Probably because you were told you couldn’t have the extra bag slots without it. But that is just my guess and I apologize if I am off-base.
If folks are “talking it up” and you don’t like that, just ignore them. There’s no need to stifle anyone’s opinion here.
/shrug
I never needed the app till my key fobwent missing i shouldve swtched sooner they keyfob was getting harder and harder to make the # apear. I thot it was gona be a big hassle switching had it done under 10 min.
Huh? Why would an Authenticator have a tracker? It doesn’t ask for your location. It’s just an app version of the physical unit.
In addition it can become damaged and stop working. Like, accidentally dropping it into water… >.>
If your physical authenticator is working fine and your prefer it, there isn’t any reason to switch, but the others are simply adding the discussion that you started. 