Millions of Google users from all over the world worry about securing their accounts. Actually, Google offers great protection known as Google authenticator for PC and smartphones. Learn how you can enable this two-factor authentication on Windows laptops and computers.
Google authenticator
Different firms advise their clients to turn on the 2-factor authentication (shortly abbreviated as 2FA). Gmail owners can also use better security for their mail and protect it from any third-party access and hacks.
Modern 2FA option includes an additional element to your ordinary login credentials (name and password). What could it be? Some programs generate a special code you have to enter during the login procedure. Others simply send a text message to your smartphone with the code to enter etc.
The best part about any authenticator is that no one can use it without that additional code. Even if a hacker knows your login and passcode, he or she still cannot access your account.
Google authenticator for PC
Both Google and Gmail accounts can be protected with the 2FA option offered by Google. This tool asks users to provide an extra code texted to their smartphone or received through a voice call. This protection is only available as a mobile application called Google authenticator. You can enjoy it on the smartphones, but not on your computer unless you follow our tips.
There is no way how to download Google authenticator for PC, so you will have to get WinAuth and learn how to work with this program designed for Microsoft operating system computers. It supports Windows 7, 8 and 10 versions.
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How to use Google authenticator
Follow this simple instruction and you’ll learn how the 2FA works on a personal computer:
- Find and get WinAuth tool for Windows (here is a link: http://ift.tt/2hUnYj6). It is a free manageable desktop software with open-source.
- Great! Once everything is downloaded, extract the .zip file and launch the desktop program.
- Choose ‘Add’ feature in WinAuth.
- Now choose ‘Google’ feature. Are you done? Does the program launch the configurations for Google Authenticator on your Windows PC? Great, you can proceed with the guide.
- This mainly works for developers and users who are familiar with TBOT or time-based-one-time passcodes because it is required to enter such a special code delivered by Google. So, visit Settings in your Google account and turn on the cool 2FA-authentication feature. Now just press ‘Switch to app’ option.
- Google will let users choose their phone platform. There are three options: Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry. Select any, because you will be enjoying the 2FA directly on your computer, not the phone.
- Google will offer you to scan its barcode. Don’t do this as this guide is not about your handset. Instead, you should select the feature ‘Can’t scan the barcode’ to see this shared key and type it into WinAuth program (or just copy and paste it).
- In WinAuth tool, choose ‘Verify Authenticator’ option. If you want, add the account’s name in the top field.
- WinAuth will create a code that you’ll have to enter into Google Settings so that it can ‘Verify and save’ it. Is it going well? Great! Google will inform you about success and let you close this window by pressing on ‘Ok’ option.
- In WinAuth app, press on ‘Ok’ as well to save the changes.
- Now the WinAuth tool will ask you to encrypt files by selecting a password. Enter it twice and save.
- This is it. You can enjoy the 2FA feature on your computer for all Google accounts. Just use WinAuth and Gmail/Google and access on your Windows PC will be protected.
Now you can enjoy the extra layer of protection brought by Google Authenticator service to your Windows PC. Stay protected from hacks and enjoy using your emails and other Google accounts wherever you are.
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Source: Naija.ng
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