Tech

How to use Google Authenticator


Yes, two-factor authentication To be an important layer of security to add to your online account, but you still easy to hack if you received the code via text message. A better way to manage these tokens is to use a validator such as Google Authenticator or Twilio Authy. When you use an authenticator app, the multifactor code is available in the app instead of via text.

Want to switch from the SMS-controlled 2FA process to a more secure option? Here’s how you can get started with Google Authenticator, recent app changes, and how to access your codes in the app.

How do I set it up?

To get started, download the app to your smartphone or tablet. Google Authenticator is available for iOS And Android. Open the app and tap Begin button. You will have the option to sign in with your Google account or use the app without signing in. If you sign in, Google Authenticator will save the 2FA data for you. More on this in a moment.

The next step is to select the online account you want to set up with Google Authenticator. The websites you visit most often can support multi-factor authentication through the app. From Amazon and Gmail to TikTok and Dropbox, the steps are a little different, but the overall process is essentially the same.

Once you’ve selected an account, the rest of the setup can be done one of two ways. You can scan the QR code with your smartphone camera or enter it manually.

Let’s take Amazon’s login process as an example. Your first option is to log into your Amazon account on your laptop, go to Account page and select Login & Security. Then tap Turn on for two-factor authentication and Begin on the next page. The pre-selected option you’ll see is to receive a code via text message. Instead, choose the option for a Authentication App.

When you see the QR code on your laptop screen, open the Google Authenticator app on your phone. Tap the plus sign in the bottom right corner of the app, then tap Scan QR code. Decide if you want to allow apps to access your camera; otherwise you will need to enter the code manually. Scan the barcode with your smartphone and the expired code will pop up in the app and keep generating again. Next, enter the six-digit code into the laptop. Confirm that older devices may require a special login process for the 2FA code and complete the setup process.

What’s new about it?

In the past, a common criticism of Google Authenticator was that all your codes were locked in one phone. If you lose your device during a noisy night out with friends or a thief snatches it from your hand, accessing your connected accounts can be difficult or impossible. Similarly, if you’ve upgraded your phone, you might have a hard time scanning all the QR codes for your websites and services, or exporting and importing them to a new device and setting everything up again. .

In addition to some design changes, Google recently added functionality that allows your code to be synced on your Google account. While in the authenticator app, you’ll see a green cloud with a check mark in the top right corner next to your profile picture indicating that your code has been synced. Note that you must be signed in to use this feature, so if you’re using Google Authenticator without signing in, you’ll have to sign in to store information in your account or export and import your data. you on the new device the old way.

Okay, now give me those damn codes

So you’ve set up and synced your code with your Google account. What’s next? When you sign in to any account you’ve connected to Google Authenticator, you’ll open the app, find the temporary code associated with that account, and use it to complete the process.

Looking for more ways to protect your online account? Authenticator apps aren’t your only option for increased security. In fact, you can protect your most important logins even more with a physical security key.

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