How To Set up 2FA Using Google Authenticator

2nd-factor authentication is nothing new to the people who are into the technology field for a while. In our last article in this series, I have explained in depth about what is 2FA and how does it benefit.

I also explained in detail about YubiKey which enables us to make 2FA more secure by using a hardware (Physical) device.

However, right now the most practical way of setting up 2FA is by using a mobile authenticator app called Google Authenticator. This is an official app by Google and it was earlier widely used for securing Gmail account and now most of us are using the same technology to secure our accounts on exchanges.

In this tutorial, I will explain in depth about:

• What is the Google authenticator app
• How to set up 2FA using Google authenticator app (Taking example from Binance)
• What happens to 2FA if you lose access to your phone
• How to ensure maximum security when setting up 2FA

And few more tips to help you get started with Google authenticator and 2FA.

Getting started with Google Authenticator for 2FA security

Google Authenticator remains one of the most efficient and fastest methods to set up two-factor authentication on your cryptocurrency trading/exchange accounts. It is a free app and is readily available on both Google Play and the App Store.

The very first thing you should do is download the Google Authenticator app from the app store for your mobile phone. Now, make a list of websites for which you want to enable 2FA.

My recommendation is to start by securing your most important asset and that is your email account. Here are a few suggestions for you:

• Setup 2FA for your Google account
• Setup 2FA for your cryptocurrency exchange account (Binance, Bittrex, Bitfinex, Gate.io and any other that you are using)
• Securely backup your 2FA key on a secure note-taking app. I use Dashlane notes feature. You can use any other or even use a paper/pen to take backup.

Alright, let’s move ahead and setup 2FA for your account.