With various security measures readily available on Cowrywise, why do you need two-factor authentication (2FA)? Yes, no one can access your account without your password or PIN. Also, they cannot withdraw into account details that don’t match your BVN (which cannot be edited once added).
Regardless, our job is to continuously think ahead and prevent you from potential attacks. A potential attack that is usually ignored is from people close to us. It is easy for them to guess passwords, log in on a separate device and wreak havoc before we even notice.
Check this extensive guide on the operations of digital fraudsters.
To kill such attempts, we are excited to announce that you can now activate an extra layer of security on your Cowrywise account. With this layer, to initiate a bank withdrawal or Stash transfer, you’ll need a unique one-time code that can only be generated on your phone.
What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an identification system that requires a combination of at least two of the following:
- What you know: a password, PIN
- What you have: your smartphone, hardware token, hardware keys
- What you are: biometrics – fingerprint scan, retina scan
Usually, for ease and flexibility, 2FA is implemented with a combination of what you know and what you have.
Isn’t SMS also used for 2FA?
While SMS can indeed be used as a means of 2FA, it’s a bad idea. SMS messages can be hacked and spoofed easily by spammers. They can be socially engineered to make the recipient provide the code sent to the phone using MITM (Man In The Middle) attack patterns.
Receiving codes via SMS also doesn’t exactly prove your ownership (what you have) of the device it is received on. SIM cards can be easily cloned or swapped, SMS messages can be easily read by a malicious app you’ve given permission to access your messages and so on. The same applies to emails.
Token-based authentication
This involves using an authenticator (an app installed on your phone) on your device for generating unique codes known as tokens. The app doesn’t need your device connected to the internet for generating these unique codes. The codes (usually 6 digits) are generated based on the current time for a short period, and you don’t always have to remember them.
In context, to access a withdrawal on Cowrywise, you’ll need two distinct forms of identification–your PIN and one-time access code in this case. After entering your PIN, we’ll request the code generated by an authenticator app. Only then can the withdrawal be approved.
How to setup Two-factor Authentication (2FA) for your account
The Cowrywise app makes use of a third-party service provider for verification–Google authenticator. Follow these steps to get started:
- Download the updated Cowrywise app ↗.
- From profile go to the security tab and switch on 2FA.
- Enter your PIN and set your security questions*.
- Proceed to connect your account to an authenticator app. We recommend Google Authenticator.
- Enter the OTP code–from the authenticator app–on the Cowrywise app to complete the connection.
After this, you will need an OTP from your authenticator app to complete transactions on your Cowrywise.
*Note: security questions cannot be changed and we don’t store them. Make sure to store answers somewhere secure for your use. Security questions can be used to reset your authenticator app when you switch devices and other security-related actions on Cowrywise.
Frequently Asked Questions on Two-Factor Authentication
What happens if I change or lose my device?
You can simply reset 2FA on your account with your security questions and then have it set up on a new device. Till the reset is done, you won’t be able to make transactions and here is where your security questions come in.
Is two-factor authentication necessary?
Without your password and PIN, no one can make a transfer out of your Cowrywise account. This would have been sufficient if people couldn’t hack your emails and reset your password or PIN. This provides an extra layer of security unique to your device alone.
How do I turn off two-factor (2FA) authentication?
Even though we do not advise this, you can. To do so, toggle the 2FA button to switch it off. Your security questions will be asked to approve this process. A good time to turn off 2FA is when your device is stolen or lost.
If you have any other questions, do let us know in the comments. We’ll respond swiftly.
I really want to control my finances. I envisage that I have a great tendency of making money and mismanaging funds. Most times I run out of money before the month ends and I feel terrible about it.
Hi Sonia.
Thanks for your vulnerability.
We provide a lot of financial education guides on our blog that can help you better control your finances.
Take it step by step and you’ll do better in now time!
What about school fees, health , charity and insurance.
school fees, insurance, and health can be placed in that friend’s wedding column as talked about in the article, t its all about understanding the main idea, looking within yourself where does this item fall, it’s about been creative and manageable with your money, i.e how long money stays in our hand using it effectively.
thanks a lot,Ope.really helpful,sometimes we outline the fixed and forget the discretionary ,and wonder how alll the money disappeared .This is very insightful
I look forward to more articles from you guys, random articles on various life topics. I love the active voice you used in writing and that sacarsm part too?
Thank you! We look forward to having you back here too ?
This is really amazing and educating! Keep it up and thank you so much for THIS ARTICLE ?
Our pleasure ?
Hello Ope,
This piece is quite insightful and helpful. Thank you. I Read the part where you advised to not document budget on a book as one can lose the book. Can you recommend an app on playstore one can use?
Yes. I’m seconding this comment. I believe an accounting application can help. I actually document my expenses daily but combining them into a general heading is a big task.
Please help us, Ope.
Hi Glow, I can’t recommend any tool off the top of my head right now, but creating a simple Google sheet or excel file for your budgeting can work.
I have a challenge, am the one catering for the house so most times I run into debts because expenses are higher than income . please how do I work on this.
thanks
Okay, Ope, you got me on with this one! ?
I know I make a lot of money as a full-stack digital marketer, but after some time, I’m broke and I’m wondering how come? As you said, I’m wondering “where did all the money go to?”
Sha, this post is very helpful and I’ve just downloaded this app I want to make use of in listing out the entire process… but quick ??
Which app or tool would you recommend for proper budgeting and evaluation?
Regards,
Sam
Hey Sam, happy to hear you found this helpful! ?
For the tool to help with budgeting, I highly recommend that you get down to do the “dirty work” first by yourself. Create a sheet on Google Sheets or Excel to input and track your spending to give you a raw idea, and then you can use other tools for lighter budgeting work based on the idea you now have from your sheet.
Hi Glow
You can download money manager on playstore, that’s what I use. There are others there too
I spend close to 38,000 only
Hi Sam,
I found it fascinating when I had to keep track of my sister’s account, but tracking my own expenses or developing a personal budget appears to be an impossible feat.
I mean… I don’t have a stable source of income yet so it seems almost hard to do but then after going through your write up I wrote a few ways in which I get money and am hoping I’d be able to get an hang of it soon.
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Ope rather not Sam, sorry.
Wow! This is great, learnt a lot
Thank you so much for sharing this, Ope.
I have a question though. How can I budget as a student?
Because it seems like I can’t apply the whole concept of budgeting in my life at the moment.
I mean, I am a student, I don’t have a fixed source of income; I receive allowance from my parent and sometimes from relatives. I also do not work and I have no investments.
Sometimes, I feel like financial plans and budgeting is just not for me, even though I’m quite interested in them.
Like when I even receive my allowance, the rate at which the money finishes fast, makes me ask myself, “How?” “Where did all the money go to?” and “What did I spend the money on?”
I want to know how to track my expenses, save effectively and if possible invest and then build a financial plan, even as a student but I don’t know how to go about it neither do I know what to do.
So, if there’s any advice you could give me, please do. I’m very ready to learn.
Also, thank you so much for your financial lessons. I am always happy when I see your blog updates in my email. Thank you!?
This is very insightful and educative. I will make a do with this tips immediately. Thanks immensely Ope.
This is helpful I learnt a lot as a young graduate budget helps in build Future occurrences coming in the future also helps to pridict a lot of plan that u ought to achieve
Thanks Ope for this rich enlightenment.
But I got to ask you a question.
What if you don’t get an income per say but, a kind of allowance that’s not stable that you’ll have to ask before its been given to you. How then do you plan a budget given such instance?
Thanks for this wonderful post of yours.It is more encouraging.
Dear Ope,
Thanks for this insightful write up. I am definitely practicing this starting now. This is just what I needed to hear at this time. Thanks again
Really amazing thanks alot for this
I need withdraw
Thank for this wonderful post of yours. It is more encourage
I need withdraw
This article came in on time. Am guilty of many of the bad money management stated in the article. Not withstanding, it is not too late to start. I will be better equipped for the remaining part of the year and next year as well. Thanks Ope
Alisabiu744@gmail.com
This article came in on time. Am guilty of many of the bad money management stated in the article. Not withstanding, it is not too late to start. I will be better equipped for the remaining part of the year and next year as well. Thanks Ope
Ope thanks for this powerful awareness, pls if the is an app I can use for something like this let me know. I should start taking records this month
Mohammed
How can I do this
Thanks very much Ope. I always enjoy your post they are enlightening.Talking about budgeting how can one who’s money doesn’t come in bulk monthly go about making and achieving his or her budget.
I can control my financial status on my own. Because I really feel to be financially independent, on the basis of personal interest, and growth. Thank you so much.
Hi Ope,
Thanks for the blog,
I am currently working and I don’t earn enough. Also, I have to settle bills at home and help the family.
I find it hard to save, any advice on this?
Thanks for this piece, I really needed it to start my next month.✨
Thank you so much Ope. We shall do this
Cowrywise has really helped me to everyone more and spend less
I wish it will not crash
Thanks so much. This is an eye opener. I always wondered why I’m left with nothing at the end of the week/month/year after making so much money. Please, do cowrywise have a budgeting app that could be helpful.? It’s important