How to manage two-factor authentication accounts (2FA) with Authy

If you do not use two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure your account, you will be vulnerable to attack. Validate two factors beyond the username / password security combination and turn your phone or computer into an additional 'lock class'. If someone accesses your account, then in addition to the password, they will need to add this additional 'lock class' (ie your phone or computer). Therefore, unless the person has both of these factors, they will not be able to log in to your account.

Until authentication applications appear, 2FA activation means you have to enter your phone number into each application and website, then this page or application will create and send the code for you to enter when accuracy. Using an authentication application can make this process simpler. Once this application is set up, all you have to do is enter the token (token) that it creates. There are a few familiar options among these applications like LastPass or Google Authenticator. Authy is another option for easier setup and use. Authy is available on iOS, Android and Windows.

Download Authy.

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Start with Authy

Let's start by setting up Authy. Once you have downloaded the Authy app, open it to go to the Set Up screen .

Here, you will be asked to provide a mobile phone number. You will use the same phone number when setting up Authy on all your devices. That way, you will always have similar tokens available, whether you access Authy from your phone or computer. Make sure you use your mobile phone for convenience.

Search for the country code and enter your phone number. Then, enter your email and click OK.

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Next, Authy needs to verify your account. To do this, Authy will send you the registration code and then prompt you to enter the code into the application. Choose 1 of 2 options: Quick phone call or text message. Once you've received your code, enter it. At this point, you have successfully created your Authy account.

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You can also download Authy on Windows computers. When you install and open the program, the setup steps are basically the same: Enter your phone number when prompted. Once again, the phone number you linked to Authy determines your account. If you enter a different phone number than before, you will have two separate accounts and the tokens you have previously set will not appear here.

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Authy will need to verify your account as previously done. If you have installed Authy application on your phone, you will have the option to use this device to verify Authy on the desktop. (If not, use one of the SMS options or phone calls as before). Click Existing Device , then check the phone. You will receive a message from Authy, asking you to Accept or deny the new device.

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On the phone, click Accept, then enter: YES in the dialog box that appears. You will receive a notification on your phone, indicating that a new device has been added and any additional tokens will now also be displayed on your computer.

Notice the Authenticator Backups feature

Authy gives you the option of backing up data safely, in case you lose your phone. When installing Authy on another device, you will need the backup password that you set to decrypt your account.

If you have enabled Install Authenticator Backups from the Accounts menu and add Authy to another device, you will see a red padlock icon appear on any account you have set up. Click any of them and you will be prompted to enter a backup password. When you do that, the token code will be available for use on the device.

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Don't forget your password! There is no way to retrieve it, if you forget or lose access to the device that your Authy token has been decoded.

Activate 2FA on a website and add the Authy token code

Now you are ready to start adding the token code. Although the process of activating 2FA on the page you want to secure will change, depending on the site, Authy always works in the same way: Create a unique barcode or key.

The article will use Amazon to illustrate the example of each step:

In the browser, navigate to Amazon.com, then click Your Account in the Account & Lists menu.

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Click the Login & Security box and scroll down to Two-Step Verification (2SV) Settings . Click Edit.

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In the Backup Methods title , click Add new app to display the setup screen.

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Now, open Authy and click on the Add Account button .

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Press Scan QR Code and hold the mobile device into the barcode section on the computer screen.

In case you cannot scan the barcode, click the option Not scan the barcode . Enter the code that appears on the screen into Authy.

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Either way, Authy will create a unique token for you. Enter the code and click Verify OTP and continue .

When you are ready to login next time, enter your username and password as usual. Then, open Authy, click on your Amazon account and enter your token on the Two-Step Verification screen . Each token is valid for 30 seconds, before Authy creates a new code.

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Using Authy to add 2-factor authentication to your account is just that simple. Always select the Authenticator App option to keep everything in the same place, when you activate 2FA each time online. After that, you can manage all accounts with Authy.

Hope you are succesful.