Require a solution for SMS-based 2FA whilst roaming

Forums › Android › Require a solution for SMS-based 2FA whilst roaming

MrAndreas

62 posts

Master Geek

#247721 19-Feb-2019 08:01

The CHALLENGE...
-To travel overseas whilst avoiding horrendous SMS roaming charges.

-The solution would, preferably, not be subscription-based in order to prevent ongoing expenses.

The BACKGROUND...
-The only way into some two-factor authentication (2FA) secured accounts is via SMS, including my bank that uses this method (they do, however, offer a token generator device for a small monthly fee).

-Even if I disabled roaming until I needed it for a 2FA-secured login (optionally just so that I could login to then transfered the 2FA to my current overseas' number), the minute I temporarily enabled roaming, any other queued up SMS messages (unrelated to 2FA) would be streaming in and cost me a small fortune!

-I cannot guarantee that I could disable 2FA on all 2FA accounts utilising SMS-only authentication before I travel, nor would I want to. The reason I cannot guarantee this is that I don't know with 100% certainty all of my accounts that are secured using SMS-based 2FA. As such I am forced to discover such accounts on a per access basis whilst travelling.

-I also cannot guarantee that I have recovery codes for every 2FA-secured account, i.e., I cannot rely on recovery codes to gain access, nor would I want to.

The PROPOSAL...
-Purchase a cheap phone.
-Put my New Zealand SIM in it.
-Install a remote control app on phone.
-Permanently leave phone on and connected to a charger and WiFi at my parent's place.

The UNKNOWNS...
-If using a full-blown remote control app (which also would allow for additional benefits, such as remote administration, etc. of the phone), the question is: which would be the solution to use considering that TeamViewer QuickSupport requires manual confirmation to accept connections, which is not an option.

-If using an SMS remote control app only, i.e., one that allows sending/receiving SMS messages via another paired device, the question is: which such solution would be the most reliable and most real-time one? After all long delays are unacceptable as it would deny 2FA access which is time-based.

The SOLUTION...
-???

michaelmurfy

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#2183385 19-Feb-2019 08:05

The solution? You're overthinking this. SMS is free to receive overseas so take a NZ sim with you and double-check the country you're going to has roaming.

Put it in a cheap phone if you're going to be changing your sim, but most providers also have pretty good roaming packages too.

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Andib

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#2183387 19-Feb-2019 08:07

The CHALLENGE...
-To travel overseas whilst avoiding horrendous SMS roaming charges.

What SMS Roaming charges? AFAIK no NZ provider charges you to receive SMS while roaming. Only Data & making / receiving calls.

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MrAndreas

62 posts

Master Geek

#2183401 19-Feb-2019 08:35

Andib:
The CHALLENGE...
-To travel overseas whilst avoiding horrendous SMS roaming charges.

What SMS Roaming charges? AFAIK no NZ provider charges you to receive SMS while roaming. Only Data & making / receiving calls.

Thank you, that is a relief to know. However, the request for such a solution still has merit since it would allow for bi-directional SMS communication with friends and family who don't have smartphones.

freitasm

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#2183412 19-Feb-2019 09:00

You are adding requirements/expanding scope that were not in the OP.

Just don't reply to SMS. Send an email instead.

davidcole

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#2183416 19-Feb-2019 09:07

Cheap Android with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.perfness.smsgateway.rest&hl=en And then send rest messages to people/receive them.

I have a ip address check at home, that when my ip changes, it sends a formatted messges via rest (and email) to my car gps tracker with my ip address). I control it with openhab...and when there is a new incoming message, that is sent to me via email/pushover notification.

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Nate001

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#2183420 19-Feb-2019 09:09

Use email or sign up for a VoIP service (such as 2talk) and simply call. Again, don't over complicate it.

solutionz

589 posts

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#2183431 19-Feb-2019 09:27

https://messages.android.com/

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wellygary

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#2183435 19-Feb-2019 09:33

Nate001:

Use email or sign up for a VoIP service (such as 2talk) and simply call. Again, don't over complicate it.

Basically this,

Use the switched network to receive your info (at no cost from NZ) then use an OTT service on wifi (again free) to contact those back in NZ

freitasm

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#2183436 19-Feb-2019 09:33

solutionz:

https://messages.android.com/

It doesn't solve the OP's requirement of no-cost sending SMS.

freitasm

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#2183437 19-Feb-2019 09:34

davidcole:

Cheap Android with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.perfness.smsgateway.rest&hl=en And then send rest messages to people/receive them.

I have a ip address check at home, that when my ip changes, it sends a formatted messges via rest (and email) to my car gps tracker with my ip address). I control it with openhab...and when there is a new incoming message, that is sent to me via email/pushover notification.

Please expand on this - how could this make SMS cost zero for OP when he's overseas?

davidcole

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#2183439 19-Feb-2019 09:39

freitasm:

davidcole:

Cheap Android with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.perfness.smsgateway.rest&hl=en And then send rest messages to people/receive them.

I have a ip address check at home, that when my ip changes, it sends a formatted messges via rest (and email) to my car gps tracker with my ip address). I control it with openhab...and when there is a new incoming message, that is sent to me via email/pushover notification.

Please expand on this - how could this make SMS cost zero for OP when he's overseas?

Cheap android at home. Use that number for outgoing text (ie send an sms via rest from home while you're away), and receive texts on that number via data notification.

Probably over complicated.....but IT'S NOT GEEKERY IF IT'S NOT COMPLICATED™

solutionz

589 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2183472 19-Feb-2019 10:18

freitasm:

solutionz:

https://messages.android.com/

It doesn't solve the OP's requirement of no-cost sending SMS.

This is the natively supported option to OP's proposed solution; leaving phone in NZ and remotely send/receive SMS via said device (via Google web interface rather than 3rd party remote software).

(Not to be confused with Google Voice etc which uses a seperate account/number).

freitasm

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#2183520 19-Feb-2019 11:11

In my experience it is a bit flaky and sometimes loses the connection...

solutionz

589 posts

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#2183530 19-Feb-2019 11:26

freitasm: In my experience it is a bit flaky and sometimes loses the connection...

That's pretty much to be expected from any mobile solution - as Android (and iOS) is far from a server OS and apps are subject to power & memory management etc.

Google & Apple are also in the process of cleaning up their app stores and restricting access to API's such as screengrab and SMS so many third party apps may not work for much longer.

If OP wanted to spend money then TNZ do local SIM hosting however from experience that's also not 100% reliable.