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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePasskeys are generally the safest choice for online banking when the bank correctly implements FIDO2/WebAuthn. They cryptographically bind your sign-in to the bank’s real domain, making ordinary phishing and code-relay attacks ineffective. A time-based one-time password (TOTP) from an authenticator app is the best widely available alternative. SMS codes should be treated as a fallback for recovery or legacy accounts, not as your preferred second factor.
The important qualification is the bank’s recovery process: an attacker who can reset a passkey through a weak SMS or support procedure may still take over the account. Your phone, browser and credential manager also need strong local protection.
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At a glance: how the three methods compare
| Method | What you use | Phishing resistance | Main exposure | Best role in banking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passkey (FIDO2/WebAuthn) | A device, synced credential manager or hardware security key that holds a cryptographic credential | Phishing-resistant when correctly implemented; the response is bound to the bank’s authenticated domain | Compromised device, browser or credential manager; weak account-recovery rules | Primary sign-in and transaction authentication |
| Authenticator-app TOTP | An app that displays a changing code, commonly every 30 seconds | Not phishing-resistant because you manually type the code | Phishing, real-time relay, loss of the device or unprotected backup codes | Preferred fallback when passkeys are unavailable |
| SMS code | A one-time code delivered through the mobile network | Not phishing-resistant | Phishing, interception, SIM swaps and mobile-account takeover | Last-resort recovery or legacy compatibility |
This ranking follows guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and FIDO. NIST SP 800-63B Revision 4 says that authenticators requiring manual entry of an output, including OTP and out-of-band codes, “SHALL NOT be considered phishing-resistant.” CISA places text or email codes at the weakest end of its practical MFA hierarchy. FIDO’s 2025 classification likewise treats SMS OTP and authenticator-app OTP as phishable, while synced and device-bound passkeys are phishing-resistant.
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What each banking method actually proves
SMS codes prove control of a phone number
After you enter a password, the bank sends a short-lived code to the phone number registered on your account. You read the message and type the number into the login page. The bank is therefore testing access to the mobile account and handset at that moment, not possession of a cryptographic key tied to the bank’s website.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
The code travels through a public telecommunications channel and is exposed at several points: the mobile carrier’s account controls, the phone’s messaging system, the login page where you enter it and any person or service that can read your messages. A criminal who convinces you to disclose the code can often use it immediately.
Authenticator apps prove possession of a shared secret
During enrollment, the bank and your authenticator app establish a secret, usually by scanning a QR code. The app calculates a time-based one-time password (TOTP), commonly changing every 30 seconds. The bank calculates the expected value from the same secret and the current time.
TOTP removes the mobile carrier from the delivery path and is normally stronger than SMS against SIM-swap and message-interception attacks. It still requires you to type the code into a website. A phishing site can ask for the current number and relay it to the real bank before it expires, so TOTP is not phishing-resistant under NIST’s definition.
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Passkeys prove possession of a private key for the bank’s domain
A passkey is a FIDO/WebAuthn credential made from a public/private key pair. The bank stores the public key. Your phone, computer, credential manager or hardware security key keeps the private key and uses it to sign a one-time challenge.
The browser and authenticator include the bank’s authenticated domain in that operation. A look-alike website cannot obtain a valid response for the real domain because it receives a different domain name and therefore cannot cause the authenticator to use the bank’s private key. You do not copy a code into the page; you unlock the authenticator with a device PIN, fingerprint, face scan or hardware-key action.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Why passkeys stop the usual phishing attack
In a conventional phishing campaign, an impostor page copies the bank’s branding, collects your password and asks for a second factor. SMS and TOTP codes can be entered on that page and forwarded in real time. The attacker may then create a session at the real bank while the code is still valid.
With WebAuthn, the browser supplies the relying party’s domain to the authenticator. The authenticator will sign only for the domain for which the credential was registered. A fake domain can collect your password, but it cannot make your passkey produce a signature accepted by the real bank. This verifier-name binding is the core of WebAuthn’s phishing resistance, as described by NIST.
“Phishing-resistant” does not mean invulnerable. Malware with control of an unlocked device, a malicious browser extension, a stolen active banking session or a fraudulent bank-support interaction can still cause harm. Keep the operating system and browser current, use a strong local device lock and review transaction confirmations rather than approving unexpected activity.
Synced and device-bound passkeys
A device-bound passkey stays on one phone, computer or hardware security key. A synced passkey is protected by a platform or third-party credential manager and made available on your other approved devices. NIST’s 2024 supplement says correctly implemented syncable authenticators can provide phishing resistance while simplifying recovery and cross-device use.
Syncing changes the recovery and trust model, not the domain binding. Protect the account that controls synchronization with a strong password, MFA and alerts for new devices. If your bank supports a FIDO2 security key, registering a spare key and storing it separately can provide an additional recovery route.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Where an authenticator app is the practical second choice
TOTP is a sensible choice when the bank has not added passkeys or when its passkey implementation does not work with one of your devices. It avoids the carrier and SIM-swap exposure of SMS and works without cellular coverage once the secret is enrolled.
Its remaining weakness is the human entry step. A convincing fake page can request the six-digit value, relay it to the bank and complete the login before the 30-second window closes. Never enter a TOTP value after following an unsolicited email, text or phone link. Open the bank using a bookmark or a manually typed address, and check the domain before entering either your password or code.
Safer TOTP enrollment
- Open the bank’s official app or type its address yourself, then go to the security or MFA section. Bank labels vary; look for “Authenticator app,” “Two-step verification” or “Set up TOTP.”
- Confirm that you are changing security settings inside an authenticated session. Do not scan a QR code displayed on an email, support chat or remote-assistance screen.
- Scan the bank’s QR code with your authenticator app, or enter the supplied setup key manually if scanning is unavailable.
- Type the current code into the bank’s verification field to finish enrollment. Check that the code changes and that your phone’s time is set automatically; a clock that is significantly wrong can cause rejected codes.
- Generate the bank’s recovery codes, if offered, and store them offline in a secure place. Treat each code like a password and do not keep the only copy in the same phone that generates TOTP.
- Enroll a second approved authenticator or another recovery method before removing the old phone. Test the recovery route while you still have access to the account.
Why SMS belongs at the bottom of the list
SMS is vulnerable to threats that do not require compromising your bank password. In a SIM-swap or number-porting attack, a criminal persuades the carrier to move your number to a SIM or eSIM they control. Future bank codes then arrive on the attacker’s device. A takeover of the carrier account, voicemail or message-forwarding service can have a similar result.
SMS also offers no protection against a fake login page. The code is a string of digits that you can copy anywhere, and financial-regulator guidance identifies interception of one-time security codes as a man-in-the-middle risk. NIST’s government framework restricts phone-network and SMS OTP authenticators and calls for risk assessment and migration planning. That policy does not mean every consumer bank has banned text codes, but it is a clear signal about their relative security.
If your bank requires SMS, use it only on a login you initiated yourself. Never read a code to an unsolicited caller, type it into a page reached from a message, or assume that receiving a text proves the request is legitimate. Ask the carrier to place a strong account PIN or port-out lock on your mobile account where available.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
The recovery process can override your strongest factor
Authentication is only as strong as the easiest way to replace it. A bank may let a customer who lost a phone reset a passkey by sending an SMS, answering weak knowledge questions or passing a lightly checked support call. If an attacker can trigger that process, the passkey’s cryptographic protection no longer defines the account boundary.
Questions to ask your bank
- Can a new phone number or email address be added without the existing passkey or authenticator?
- Does replacing a passkey require a waiting period, an existing factor or an in-app confirmation?
- Are new-device enrollment, password changes, phone-number changes and recovery events sent as alerts?
- Can support staff disable MFA based only on information visible on a stolen statement or social-media profile?
- Are high-risk actions, such as adding a payee or changing contact details, subject to a separate confirmation or delay?
Prefer institutions that notify you immediately about factor changes and let you revoke unfamiliar devices. If the bank’s documented recovery path falls back to SMS, protect the mobile account and monitor alerts even when your normal sign-in uses a passkey.
Set up the safest option your bank supports
If passkeys or a FIDO2 security key are available
- Sign in through the bank’s official app or website and open Security, Login methods or MFA settings.
- Select “Passkey,” “Create a passkey” or “Security key.” The exact label differs by bank and region.
- Follow the operating system prompt to use your device PIN or biometric unlock, or insert and touch the hardware key when prompted.
- Give the credential a recognizable name, such as “Personal phone” or “Spare security key,” if the bank offers naming.
- Enroll a second passkey or spare key before relying on the first one. Store a spare hardware key separately, and follow the bank’s recovery instructions for replacing a lost device.
- Sign out and test a fresh login. Confirm that the bank is asking for the passkey on the correct domain and that the credential appears in the bank’s list of active devices.
If only an authenticator app is offered
Use the TOTP enrollment process above, keep recovery codes offline and protect the phone with a long device PIN or equivalent lock. Do not store an unencrypted screenshot of the setup QR code in cloud photo storage. If you move to a new phone, transfer or re-enroll the secret using the bank’s official process before wiping the old device.
If SMS is the only available factor
- Set a carrier account PIN and enable port-out or number-transfer protection where your carrier provides it.
- Use a unique, strong banking password so a leaked password from another service cannot be paired with the text factor.
- Bookmark the bank’s real address and start every login from that bookmark or the official app.
- Turn on alerts for logins, new devices, password changes, payee changes and transactions.
- Contact the bank through the number on your card if your phone suddenly loses service, you receive an unexpected code or a message says your number was moved.
Comparison by the threats that matter in banking
| Threat or requirement | Passkey | Authenticator-app TOTP | SMS code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look-alike phishing site | Usually blocked by domain binding | Can collect and relay the typed code | Can collect and relay the typed code |
| SIM swap or carrier takeover | Not part of normal passkey use | Not part of code generation after enrollment | Directly threatens code delivery |
| Man-in-the-middle relay | Signature is bound to the legitimate relying-party domain | Possible while the code is valid | Possible while the code is valid |
| Phone lost or replaced | Depends on whether the credential is synced or device-bound and on bank recovery | Requires a secure transfer, re-enrollment or backup factor | Requires replacement access to the phone number |
| Cross-device convenience | High with correctly implemented synced passkeys; hardware keys require carrying the key | Varies by app and backup process | Works on any phone receiving the registered number |
| Bank availability | Growing but still varies by institution, country and device | Common, but not universal | Very common, including as a recovery fallback |
Device security is part of MFA security
A passkey or TOTP secret on a compromised phone is not protected merely because the method is technically strong. Install operating-system and browser updates promptly, remove untrusted apps and extensions, and use a screen lock that an attacker cannot guess. Enable the platform’s lost-device feature so you can lock or erase a missing phone.
Keep banking and authenticator notifications private on the lock screen. Review the list of devices and sessions in the bank’s security center. Revoke anything you do not recognize, then change the banking password from a clean device and contact the bank if money-moving activity occurred.
Best Value
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Choose by situation
You are opening a new account
Choose a bank that supports passkeys or FIDO2/WebAuthn and clearly documents recovery and device-change controls. Enroll the passkey during initial setup, add a spare recovery method and turn on transaction alerts.
Your bank offers TOTP but not passkeys
Use TOTP instead of SMS, keep offline recovery codes and secure the phone that generates them. Revisit the bank’s options periodically because availability changes by country and platform.
You travel or often lack cellular service
A passkey or TOTP app can work without an SMS delivery event. Test the method before travel, carry a spare hardware key or approved backup and avoid relying on a one-time recovery code stored only on your phone.
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Use your own phone or hardware key rather than saving a passkey in a shared browser profile. Sign out of the bank and remove any credential the computer should not retain.
You suspect a phishing attempt
Close the page, open the bank through a known-good route and check recent sessions and transactions. If you entered a password or TOTP code, change the password immediately from a clean device and call the bank using the number on your card. If you approved an unexpected passkey prompt, treat it as a possible account compromise and contact the bank.
Bottom line for a banking account
Use a correctly implemented passkey as your primary sign-in, preferably with a separately stored spare passkey or FIDO2 security key and a recovery process that does not quietly downgrade to SMS. If passkeys are unavailable, choose authenticator-app TOTP, protect the phone and store recovery codes offline. Keep SMS only where the bank requires it, and never mistake a text message or a manually entered code for proof that a login page is genuine.
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