Category Archives: Tech

Migrating to Ente Auth – Export TOTP tokens from Authy

2FA, Security, Tech, , , , , , , , , ,

Authy Logo

I’ve recently had to migrate all my 2FA codes (TOTP tokens) from Authy.  For those that don’t know, Authy had a breach (here, and here)  a while ago, and since then seemingly put a stop to development of their desktop apps, and also migrating and /or syncing newly added tokens. They were essentially taking our tokens hostage. It became a bit of a precarious situation, as the only app that would still work was the mobile app, but at the same time it wouldn’t let you download and configure the new app on another device (I don’t think…) or have tokens backed up and syncing across multiple devices.

The primary reason for me to use Authy before was so that I could access my 2FA codes from multiple computers and mobile devices. Without this functionality, it was pretty pointless.  Even when they ended their native support of the desktop apps, you could still run the iPad version on Apple Silicone until they blocked that too. A real shame!

I had a couple of options to get round this.

1. Reset all my 2FA sessions and generate new tokens all over. This is a pain as I had well over 20 and this would take some time.

2. Find a way of exporting the tokens using various methods worked on in the open source community. These involve many technical steps but the processes are documented. They involve man in the middle snooping and Python scripts. All in all, a bit of fun.  I’m technically minded so no problem!

I had done some research and found Ente to be a great open-source alternative to migrate to.  The new solution also features end to end encrypted backup, as well as multi-platform and device support.

Ente Logo

The migration itself took some time and some prior preparation.

The steps I followed are on the following GitHub Gist – https://gist.github.com/gboudreau/94bb0c11a6209c82418d01a59d958c93

Not every scenario will work for you, so read the documentation fully.

The exact steps I followed are these: https://gist.github.com/gboudreau/94bb0c11a6209c82418d01a59d958c93?permalink_comment_id=5298931#gistcomment-5298931

Since I followed the steps, there has been a revised and simplified version, which I would probably recommend you follow instead: https://github.com/BrenoFariasdaSilva/Authy-iOS-MiTM

All in all this was an interesting experience, which allowed me to learn something new, play with Python, and man in the middle proxy, to catch data being transferred and intercepting it. The software MITMProxy, can be used for a multitude of other things.  Something to write about another day!

Ente also develop an alternative to Apple Photos or Google Photos, worth checking out if you’re not a fan of either.

Twitter Tools: Some useful tools (and tips) to help you on your way!

Social Networking, Tech,

So if you hadn’t already heard, Twitter is pretty big right now. And if you want to market your business or product successfully it’s recommended that you jump on the band wagon.

The following have all been tested by me, and are all 100% free to use.

I will write a small bit about each item and why I use it.

Unfollow Tools

Unfortunately in an attempt to cut spam on the site, Twitter limit the number of people you can follow. If you are following a greater number of people than are following you you will be unable to follow more at a certain point.
With these sites you are able to unfollow people who aren’t following you back so that you can even your numebrs out and follow more people.

  1. Friend Or Follow – www.friendorfollow.com
  2. Just Unfollow – www.justunfollow.com (By a long shot, the better service here)

All the above sites work well and are free to use. Play around with them.

Spam Removal

Unure whether your followers are genuine or not, use the following site to find out!

TwitBlock – www.twitblock.org

Notification when someone adds you to a list (Not essential but useful if you want to be able to thank that person)

ListNotify – http://ironmonkeyventures.com/listnotify/

Follow Friday

So, those of you who are new to the game may have heard of this term, but aren’t too sure what it’s about. Basically, every Friday you ‘tweet’ your favourite people on Twitter to your other followers using #FollowFriday @tobyw7 for example.

Like me, when you end up communicating with several people over the week it gets hard to choose who to mention.

With The Twitter Tag Projetct’s tool this is made simple by analyzing the people you have most been connecting with.

Make sure you’re logged in to Twitter on the web and it’ll let you tweet your #FollowFriday ‘s easily.

Find it here: The Twitter Tag Project – Follow Friday

Advanced Users

If you want to be able to send automated Direct Messages and more check out SocialOomph

Works well, and there are free and premium options available.

More
There are quite literally thousands of useful bits of software to help you utilise Twitter; check out OneForty for more of these.

Also I would like to add a link here to the Twitter Support page regarding follow limits and some other technical issues. Check it out here, it’s definitely worth a read: http://bit.ly/cxUQve

Enjoy!