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Authy (YC W12) launches two-factor auth as a service

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Re: Authy (YC W12) launches two-factor auth as a service

#12
post #4
post #3

Doesn't Twilio already offer 90% of this functionality? > queue jokes about Microsoft security Cue, not queue.

If you're able to build the solution using Twilio (or anything else), then I'm pretty sure Authy isn't for you. I think it's clear that their eventual product is going to be a simple, drop-in that enables two-factor on your mom's knitting forum.

I'd think the biggest draw would be not developer ease as much as end-user ease. This way, an end user with an Authy account would only have to give their phone number out once, to Authy, or install one app from Authy, and automatically be able to use two-factor authentication on any site that supports it. It's like OpenID for the second half of two-factor auth.

Re: Authy (YC W12) launches two-factor auth as a service

#14
post #10
post #2

Brilliant timing for launch w/the recent DropBox debacle - did the Authy team push launch to draft on that story?

No, I was already talking to them about the story. They just lucked out on the timing.

Awesome, love getting the details on these things given my own experiences w/PR and how timing specific press opportunities can be.

Would make an interesting follow-up to understand how they pitched TC / how the DropBox timing impacted publication (if at all). Either way thanks for responding.

Re: Authy (YC W12) launches two-factor auth as a service

#15

I want interaction-free TFA in my phone. I want to be able to walk up to a computer, put in my username and maybe a PIN, and subsequently have every website log me in because the browser knows my phone is on the same LAN as the browser or is in NFC or Bluetooth range. But I would especially want this if the TFA is running on a separate system from the main CPU in my smartphone, only sharing radio/networking hardware…

I wouldn't be surprised if Google has tried this.

Remember their short-lived QR code-based logon system?

http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/17/2714263/google-experiment-...

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/googles-qr-code-log-in...

Re: Authy (YC W12) launches two-factor auth as a service

#17
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're able to build the solution using Twilio (or anything else), then I'm pretty sure Authy isn't for you. I think it's clear that their eventual product is going to be a simple, drop-in that enables two-factor on your mom's knitting forum.

I'd think the biggest draw would be not developer ease as much as end-user ease. This way, an end user with an Authy account would only have to give their phone number out once, to Authy, or install one app from Authy, and automatically be able to use two-factor authentication on any site that supports it. It's like OpenID for the second half of two-factor auth.

Give your phone number once to Authy and then to every app that wants to use Authy.
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