ATX requires an authenticator App on my phone and I don't have one

[BulldogTom]

Is there a way to just give them my phone number and get a code every time I log in?   Or is this absolutely required?

If this is absolutely required, which app do you recommend?   Also, I think I need an app to read a QR code because I have never done that on my phone either.

Tom
Longview, TX

[BulldogTom]

Support is not open so I can't ask them...so I am hoping for some help here.   OK if no one knows.

My wife works in the company.   Does she need to have an authenticator as well or does she need to use the phone I use?   In other words, can we pair more than one device to the software?   This is a real issue if we take the Laptop to a client.   Either of us may go to a client so we each need to have access to open the software.

Thanks in advance if you can educate this old dog.

Tom
Longview, TX

[jklcpa]

I have Google authenticator for Drake. Reading the QR code is a one-time setup, and afaik, it links that particular phone to the user's log in. Does your ATX license allow more than one user log in? If so, it should allow more than one authenticator, but not being an ATX user can't be 100% sure. 

This isn't new to this year. Can you check last year's user manual?

[jklcpa]

To add: with my program I have an admin log-in as well as a user log-in, and I have a separate authenticator for each, and for each year too. I think those could be on separate phones, and that's why I asked about how many users your license allows.

[mcb39]

35 minutes ago, jklcpa said:

I have Google authenticator for Drake. Reading the QR code is a one-time setup, and afaik, it links that particular phone to the user's log in. Does your ATX license allow more than one user log in? If so, it should allow more than one authenticator, but not being an ATX user can't be 100% sure. 

This isn't new to this year. Can you check last year's user manual?

This was not required last year in ATX.  I, too, am struggling with this issue.  I downloaded the program last week and have not been able to open it yet because I cannot figure it out either.  I was just patiently waiting for the subject to come up on this board.

[jklcpa]

You are having trouble with setup or something else? Which authenticator?

[BulldogTom]

21 minutes ago, jklcpa said:

Which authenticator?

The best one.   There are 5 or 6 listed on the AXT support site, but I was hoping for some advice on a good one to use.   Microsoft and Google are the only names I recognize.   

I was hoping it would just be a code to my phone like other software MFA's I have worked with. 

I don't know for sure how many users I am allowed.   There are only 2 of us and we both use the admin login.   Never set up another user because I don't need it. 

Tom
Longview, TX

[jklcpa]

28 minutes ago, BulldogTom said:

I was hoping it would just be a code to my phone like other software MFA's I have worked with. 

Install software and download the authenticator app. Open the authenticator and use it to scan the QR. It should provide a code to pair it to your software as part of the setup.

Once it is set up, you will log in and also open the authenticator app on your phone. A code will appear in the app that you enter in the software. That code is good for 30 secs and then expires. If you miss that time cutoff, you enter the new code that appears.

These apps don't text you a code, it just appears in the app when you open it.

[jklcpa]

This is the link to CCH's page explaining it. 

https://files.cchsfs.com/doc/atx/2024/Help/Content/Both-SSource/Login and Passwords/Using MFA.htm

The next post is the document from above link, in case you don't trust it.

[jklcpa]

[jklcpa]

This topic from 2 years ago said the standard ATX site license was for up to 3 users.

Tom, does your wife have her own log in for ATX?  

Here's a Drake video that shows the setup of an authenticator. From reading the ATX instructions in my earlier post, it is the same, but maybe seeing it on the video will help. Early in the video is specific to Drake, but start watching from the 3:00 minute mark to the end for the authenticator setup and subsequent log in. It really isn't difficult once you see what should happen.  Also, sorry for all of the posts.

https://support.drakesoftware.com/Video/mfa-in-drake-tax

[jklcpa]

Ahh, one last tip, yeah probably not.  

The clock on the computer or laptop where ATX is installed must be the same as the clock on mobile device where the authenticator is, otherwise the 30 second interval of expiration of the code won't be in sync.

[Randall]

Thanks for this topic.   I haven't downloaded the new ATX program yet.  But I too don't know that much about the phone and QR code stuff.  I guess I'll have to start.

[BulldogTom]

11 hours ago, jklcpa said:

This topic from 2 years ago said the standard ATX site license was for up to 3 users.

Tom, does your wife have her own log in for ATX?  

Here's a Drake video that shows the setup of an authenticator. From reading the ATX instructions in my earlier post, it is the same, but maybe seeing it on the video will help. Early in the video is specific to Drake, but start watching from the 3:00 minute mark to the end for the authenticator setup and subsequent log in. It really isn't difficult once you see what should happen.  Also, sorry for all of the posts.

https://support.drakesoftware.com/Video/mfa-in-drake-tax

Wife and I both use the Admin login since we share the main computer.   We have an office cell phone that sits right next to the computer and does not leave the office, so I think I can make that work.   

The issue is the laptop.   We each take it occasionally.   We both use the admin password.   We have different personal cell phones.

And thanks for all the responses.   @jklcpa

Tom
Longview, TX

[jklcpa]

12 minutes ago, BulldogTom said:

Wife and I both use the Admin login since we share the main computer.   We have an office cell phone that sits right next to the computer and does not leave the office, so I think I can make that work.   

The issue is the laptop.   We each take it occasionally.   We both use the admin password.   We have different personal cell phones.

And thanks for all the responses.   @jklcpa

Tom
Longview, TX

If the laptop is offsite, you won't be able to both be logged in at the same time using "Admin" as the user and using one phone. 

You could set up second or third user(s) for the laptop that also has admin privleges, but that will still require those user log-ins to have an authenticator code to open the program.

[BrewOne]

I downloaded BitWarden--said it was free for only 3 days.  I usually wait until mid-December to download ATX and I'll probably stick to that.  And guess I'll pay for an authenticator app.

[Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana]

I have both the google authenticator app, free, and Duo authenticator app, a free version.

[jklcpa]

Fwiw, I use the Google authenticator. It's free.

[mcb39]

Are you saying that the Samsung Scanner app won't work, because it doesn't.  I just want to close my eyes and cry.  At my age, technology has suddenly left me sitting in the weeds.

[Lee B]

There is a number of various MFAs that qualify, but we are limited by what our tax software allows.

[BulldogTom]

16 hours ago, jklcpa said:

I have Google authenticator 

Works fine?   Doesn't need constant updates and doesn't try to take over your phone?   

Tom
Longview, TX

[jklcpa]

4 hours ago, BulldogTom said:

Works fine?   Doesn't need constant updates and doesn't try to take over your phone?   

Tom
Longview, TX

It works and was easy to set up. I have everything set to automatically update, so I am not aware of how often that has happened. I haven't noticed anything odd with the phone, and that app has been on it for years now. Google's app does collect data though, so if that is an issue, maybe consider a different one.

Article from PC Mag about the best of these apps for 2024 with pros and cons, on what devices they work best, and if they require an account. If you don't like the link, search for "best authenticator apps for 2024" and the article should be near the top of the list.  https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-authenticator-apps

Some that are listed may or may not be recommended by your software.

 

[Lee B]

29 minutes ago, BulldogTom said:

Works fine?   Doesn't need constant updates and doesn't try to take over your phone?   

Tom
Longview, TX

All Google apps update automatically multiple times a year.

[Lion EA]

ProSystem fx (also WK) has a list of recommended authenticators that are supposed to work with my software. I started with the WK Authenticator, thinking it would be the most efficient with WK software. Not. Tech Support couldn't get me working. Techie liked the MS Authenticator, so I downloaded that. Support moved me up to the next tier. Still locked out of my very expensive software. Third tier support was supposed to call me. I called in my IT guy. He likes BitWarden. Got me running in minutes. (He took the other two authenticators off my phone.) I can finally get into my software, prior years too.

Don't know why they have to make it so hard for us old ladies who grew up long before PCs and smart phones! I know it's NOT hard for the hackers.

[BulldogTom]

So, it turns out I already have MS Authenticator on my personal phone from a prior employer.   I guess I am going with that one.   Wish me luck.

Tom
Longview, TX