Microsoft Authenticator is a powerful and popular two-factor authenticator app. Let's talk about what it is, how it works, and how to use it!

Here’s how you can get started with Google Authenticator, what’s recently changed about the app, and how to access your codes in-app.

Authenticator apps avoid your mobile network, sending codes through its own secure channels to avoid them being compromised. These apps generate one-time six-digit codes that refresh every 30 seconds.

A site that supports 2FA via an authenticator app should generate the necessary code for this process. A six-digit one-time code then appears within the app for any added account.

The Google Authenticator app eliminates the possibility of an SMS-based attack using algorithms to generate the codes on your phone. Here's how to set it up: 1.

The advantage of 2FA is that you can secure your account with a six-digit code generated by the authenticator app, in addition to your password.

With two-step authentication enabled, you'll be prompted to enter a six-digit number after you provide your username and password.

Proton Authenticator is the new 2FA app that is completely free and open-source. It doesn't serve you ads like the competition.