How to add an account to Google Authenticatorīefore setting up Google Authenticator, go to the security settings of a service you want to protect with 2FA. While the chances this will happen to a regular person are low, a targeted attack on a high-net-worth individual may be more likely. The app itself is not secured with a password, so if your smartphone is stolen, wrongdoers can access your codes without any additional effort. However, two-factor authentication is not a panacea for all security ills, and Google Authenticator should also be used while keeping its limitations in mind. Google Authenticator is considered to be a safe app. The app also allows you to transfer your connected accounts from your old smartphone to a new one, so you don’t need to set up everything from scratch. When you open the app, you can see all the services linked with your Google Authenticator account. You can set up two-factor authentication with Google Authenticator on popular services like Gmail, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. For security reasons, the code changes every 30 seconds, so you don’t have a lot of time to enter it. When you set up two-factor authentication on an account you want to protect with Google Authenticator, the app generates a six-digit code that you need to enter to log in. How does the Google Authenticator app work? Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and Duo Mobile are a few well-known names on the authentication market. While tokens and text messages have lost their credibility over the years, authentication apps are considered the most secure way of verifying your identity.
Two-factor authentication means that after typing your password, you also need to authenticate yourself via a text message, token, or app. When you have 2FA enabled, the chances of exposing your accounts are much lower. Threat actors can buy a list of leaked or stolen credentials, and if your credentials are included, they could take over your accounts. If you use passwords to secure your accounts without any additional protection, you’re putting yourself at risk. A significant part of these records are stolen passwords that ended up on the dark web. More than 40 billion records were exposed in data breaches in 2021, making it the worst year for cybersecurity ever.
Why do you need two-factor authentication?