The biggest mistake I see people make with 2FA backup codes

Kept seeing posts in a sysadmin group about people getting locked out of their accounts after switching phones. They saved the backup codes in a note app or even a screenshot. That whole setup is useless if someone steals the phone or you lose it. I store mine in a separate encrypted USB drive in a fireproof safe at home. Has anyone else had to bail a coworker out of a 2FA lockout situation?

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2 Comments

wesley8735mo ago

Yeah, I used to just screenshot mine, but this totally changed my mind about how stupid that was!

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noahward5mo ago

Wait, you were actually screenshotting your receipts before this? That's a solid 47 steps in the wrong direction if you ask me. I mean, I get it in a pinch but doing that long term sounds like a nightmare. You'd have to scroll through your whole camera roll just to find a milk purchase from two weeks ago. Tbh this new system is way better than digging through photos. Honestly the only thing that bugs me is when the app glitches and shows a blank receipt.

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