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This application helps secure your Google accounts on devices by adding an additional verification step

This application helps secure your Google accounts on devices by adding an additional verification step

Vote: (8 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Google

Version: 6.0

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(8 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Google

6.0

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • Adds an extra layer of security to applications and services
  • Easy-to-use interface and setup
  • Works without a network connection

Cons

  • Risk of getting locked out from applications

Google Authenticator provides auto-generated codes for two-factor authentication.

Two-Factor Authentication

Cyber criminals might be able to find out your password through exploiting code vulnerabilities of the services you use. They might be able to get your password through stealing information from databases. If you change your password regularly, then you have a better chance of stopping them before they attack your account.

However, two-factor authentication is a better way of stopping these attacks. In a two-factor authentication system, your service like Gmail or Facebook will ask for a second piece of information besides the password. This second piece of information is connected to a physical device like your mobile or your PC. This way hackers cannot access your account without the information from your physical device.

Google Authenticator creates this second layer. It is a number generator that resides as an application on your mobile device and keeps generating numbers that are unique. During authentication, after you enter your password, the service will ask for a six-digit number from the Google Authenticator app. You will be able to access the service only after you enter this authentication code.

Widely Accepted and Easy-to-Use

Google Authenticator is one of the most trusted security apps. It works with a lot of applications and services. You can easily use it to secure your Gmail and Google+ accounts.

Setting up Google Authenticator is easy. You download it on your device. Then you go to the service you want to secure, turn on two-factor authentication on the service, and scan the service generated barcode to connect it to the Google Authenticator.

Backup Codes

Two-factor authentication comes with a risk factor. If you lose your device, you will not be able to login to the service anymore. To mitigate the risk, Google provides backup codes that you can generate and download. In case, you lose the Google Authenticator device, you can use those backup codes to login into Google applications. However, other services might not have this provision. So check your service before using two-factor authentication.

Conclusion

Google Authenticator keeps your information secure. It generates unique codes for each of your services. With two-factor authentication in place, you have a better chance of preventing unauthorized access to your online data.

Pros

  • Adds an extra layer of security to applications and services
  • Easy-to-use interface and setup
  • Works without a network connection

Cons

  • Risk of getting locked out from applications