How to Setup Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is a two-step authenticator which offers an additional security layer on top of your username-password combination. With two-step verification, a code generated by the Google Authenticator app must be entered while signing in, in addition to your account username and password. This ensures only the people with the installed app/code. Once you download the app, you can add it to your account:
The Google Authenticator app was chosen because it is free and widely available on Android, iOS/Apple, BlackBerry, or Windows mobile devices, and other third party APIs/Apps.
For example ,
- Dropbox
- Lastpass
- KeepSafe
- WordPress Login Plugin
- Rails
- Python
- HTML5
Google Authenticator is particularly useful with mobile tablets/phones with a cellular or Internet connection. In the event of a lost or disconnected mobile device, Google Authenticator also provides a list of non-expiring backup codes (during the initial configuration) that can be used. Outside of the Google Authenticator app, SMS text message or voice calls can be used to obtain the 2nd layer code.
There are a few basic things that must happen before you can continue with this setup.
- You must have 2-Step Verification set up for your Google account. If you have not completed this yet please click here and follow the tutorial.
- You must install the Google Authenticator app on you mobile device. This install is as simple as downloading the app from Google Play.
- You must install a barcode scanner. (if you do not have one installed, Authenticator will ask you to install one)
How to Setup Google Authenticator
Now that you have completed the basics lets jump right in and How to Setup Google Authenticator ,
- From your favorite browser, open the Google account security page
- Click on “2-Step Verification”
- Under the Authenticator App section, click “Setup”
- Choose your device type (Android, iPhone) and click “Next” to reveal a QR code
- Open the Authenticator app on your device
- Tap on “BEGIN SETUP”
- Tap “Scan a barcode” (if you have not installed a barcode scanner, you will now be asked to)
- Scan the QR code that is open in your browser
- Click the “Next” button
- Type the code you see on your mobile device into the text box and click verify.
- Click the Done option to complete your setup.
How to Setup Google Authenticator ? There you have it, you now have the added security of a 2-step login process with the ease of a code generator on your mobile device.
A few things to note ,
- You are only allowed to set up one device at a time as an authenticator,
- Make sure to never set this up on a publicly shared device,
- I recommend adding a password to your device if you set up this feature, remember that security is only as good as the person keeping it.
Now that you have this setup, tell us what you think. If you like this article about How to Setup Google Authenticator, so please like, comment and share this post about How to Setup Google Authenticator.
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