Cleanfox is a popular application used to clean up your inbox and unsubscribe from unwanted emails. When creating an account on Cleanfox, it is mandatory for safety reasons that you generate an application password.
What is an application password?
An application password is an essential tool for maintaining the security of your online accounts. It is a randomly generated password that is used for a specific application and is different from your master account password. This extra layer of security ensures that your account is protected from unauthorized access.
Using an application password is simple and convenient. You only need to remember one master account password (the main password you use to log in to your account), and you can generate multiple application passwords that you don’t need to remember. This means that you can use a unique application password for each application that you use, ensuring that if one application password is compromised, your account and your master account password remain secure.
Some providers allow you to view your application password usage, which can be beneficial in monitoring your account’s security. You can also revoke an application password without changing your master password, making it easy to manage your passwords and keep your account secure. Additionally, when you change your master password, you can invalidate all application passwords, ensuring that no one can access your account without your explicit permission.
Overall, an application password is a critical tool for maintaining the security of your online accounts. By using this additional layer of security, you can keep your account safe from hackers and other unauthorized individuals. With the convenience and ease of use of application passwords, there’s no reason not to take advantage of this powerful security feature.
For more informations about password application, check out this article made in 2023 : https://www.cleanfox.io/blog/tips-en/create-an-application-password/
What’s 2FA (2 factor authentication) and why does it enhance security?
Another way to add an extra layer of security to your Cleanfox account is by activating 2FA. 2FA is a security feature that requires two forms of identification to log in to your account. When 2FA is activated, you must enter both your regular password and a second form of identification, such as a time-based one-time password (TOTP) or a code received via SMS.
What is a TOTP in 2FA?
TOTP is a type of 2FA that generates a unique password that is only valid for a short period of time. This password is generated by an authentication app, such as Google Authenticator, and is entered in addition to your regular password when logging in to your Cleanfox account. TOTP is a secure way to add an extra layer of security to your Cleanfox account because the password is time-limited and cannot be reused.
Why should you generate an application password and enable 2FA?
Stronger security: By using an application password and activating 2FA, you can be confident that your online accounts are kept safe and secure.
Protection against hacking: With 2FA, even if someone gets your password, they still cannot log in without the additional factor of authentication. Similarly, application passwords protect against phishing attacks, where attackers may try to trick you into giving away your password.
Avoidance of password reuse: Using a different password for each service reduces the risk of having multiple accounts compromised if one password is leaked or guessed.
Simplified password management: Application passwords remove the need for users to remember complex passwords or write them down, as the application manages the password for you.
Compliance with industry standards: 2FA is recommended as a best practice by various industry and regulatory bodies, and some organizations even require it to be enabled to access certain services.
Does Cleanfox have access to my personal email password?
Cleanfox does not have access to your personal email password because it is confidential and belongs to you only. Cleanfox only accesses your email account with your permission and uses APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) provided by your email service provider to retrieve and manage your emails. This means that Cleanfox does not store or have access to your email password and cannot use it to access your email account without your authorization. This ensures that your personal email data and privacy remain protected.
It is important to note that while these security measures can help to protect your Cleanfox account from cyber threats, it is still important to practice good online security habits. This includes using strong and unique passwords for all of your online accounts, avoiding public Wi-Fi when accessing sensitive information, and being cautious when clicking on links or opening email attachments.
