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Tasker Authentication Helper

net 1 - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereWe all know that security online is very important.

“Your Google verification code is 431973”

Oh, come-on! I want to be secure, but how many times do I have to tell you: ‘It’s me Google!’. With security, you can’t have the cake and eat it at the same time… or can you? This is where Tasker Authentication Helper comes in!

Tasker Authentication Helper

I’m going to use the Tasker Authentication Helper to get the code out of the text message, not matter what the text message is, then send it as a clipboard to other devices via Join? Sounds good? I think this should save me a lot of time, especially when used with the 2-step authentication systems. And while I’m at it, let’s make the project as universal as possible, so it would work with all verification messages!

Screenshot 20170727 223753 - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereIf you are REALLY concerned about what devices you are sharing this clipboard with, you can limit the devices receiving the code to an active PC in Tasker.

I have to admit, that most often the simple profiles are the one that solves the annoying issues. Tasker Authentication Helper is very simple. It took me a while to fail miserably at regex. I have not been able to find a single regex formula, but the profile works well with 2 filters working together. If you are a PRO in regex, feel free to combine both formulas together and let me know!

[tabs tab1=”Tasker Authentication Helper profile” ] [tab id=1]
Profile: Pin Code Txt 
	Event: AutoNotification Intercept [ Configuration:Event Behaviour: true
			Notification Type: Only Created Notifications
			Notification App: Signal
			Notification Text: pin|code (regex) (case ins)
			Package Name: org.thoughtcrime.securesms ]
Enter: Grab A Code 
	A1: Variable Search Replace [ Variable:%antext 
		Search:(code|pin).*?\d+ Ignore Case:On Multi-Line:On 
		One Match Only:On Store Matches In:%code 
		Replace Matches:Off Replace With: ] 
	A2: Variable Search Replace [ Variable:%antext 
		Search:^(.*?)\d+ Ignore Case:On Multi-Line:On 
		One Match Only:On Store Matches In:%code 
		Replace Matches:Off Replace With: ] If [ %code1 !Set ]
	A3: Variable Search Replace [ Variable:%code1 
		Search:\d+ Ignore Case:On Multi-Line:On One Match 
		Only:On Store Matches In:%auth 
		Replace Matches:Off Replace With: ] 
	A4: Set Clipboard [ Text:%auth1 Add:Off ] 
[/tab] [/tabs]

I’m using AutoNotification (*but nothing should stop you from using a build in Tasker’s SMS received condition – further modifications needs to be done to variables) to intercept the message. A simple filter of the %antext (pin|code)  will assure that I don’t start assigning any values without a reason. Let’s not run the task if we don’t have to.screenshot 1501153492803 - for some reason we don't have an alt tag here

To fish out the code from a text message we are going to use 2 regex filters. This should prevent incorrect values from being assigned:

  • a text with a number, but without pin or code word
  • a text with a number that is not a pin or code
  • a text with multiple numbers – capture the first match after code/pin
  • a text with multiple numbers where the code/pin word is placed after the code

Please test the message, to make sure that your messages are being filtered accordingly.

Tasker Authentication Helper – regex

To capture the actual code, I’m going to use Regex. I have several different variations stored on my phone and I’m going to use it as an example. I tried to cover the biggest number of scenarios possible, but if your verification text falls outside of the scope of my regex filters – you will have to modify it to your needs.

Screenshot 20170727 223504 - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereLet’s start with capturing the numbers after the words pin/code (case insensitive) – I’m using www.regex101.com for this.

(code|pin).*?\d+

reg1a - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereThe result is good, but I failed with the last example. Our matches are:

code is 431973
code:895941
PIN is 4044

Using search/replace action I will store the matches in an array %code. Our match will be placed in the 1st element: %code1. The %code1 won’t be set if the verification text follows the last example. If that’s the case I can set another Regex filter:

^(.*?)\d+

reg2a - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereInstead of building a very complicated Regex filter (and mostly because it’s a task way above my understanding of Regex) I will just filter the results again. In both circumstances the second filter will be the same:

\d+

reg3a - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereThe result of the second filter is stored in the %auth array as the first element %auth1. This variable is used to set a clipboard and shared with other devices with Join app.

Conclusion

Tasker Authentication Helper project works fast and speeds up the login times. I think I’m getting too old to remember the short numbers, or simply too old to go and find my mobile each time I want to log in anywhere without compromising my security.  I hope you will find this project useful. Share it with your friends and give it a like while you here. If you are feeling particularly charitable you can also support me directly by funding my projects. If you wish to download a project file please use this link.

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Mat Zolnierczyk

I am passionate about technology, cycling, and art. This would explain why my bike has more computing power than your average office. I own notenoughtech.com and I write for xda-developers.com and pocketables.com NotEnoughTECH | Facebook | Twitter |YouTube |Instagram | Google+ |Donate |Patreon

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