Using Google Authenticator for Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring a second form of verification in addition to a password. One popular method of two-factor authentication is using a Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP) generator like Google Authenticator. In this article, we'll explore how to use Google Authenticator to secure your CloudAccess account.

How TOTP Works

When you set up two-factor authentication with Google Authenticator, you're given a secret key that you need to enter on the registration page. This key is used to generate a one-time password (OTP) that's valid for only a short period of time - typically 30 seconds. To log in to your CloudAccess account using TOTP, you'll need to enter this OTP code along with your username and password.

Setting Up TOTP

To set up TOTP on your CloudAccess account, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the CloudAccess administration console at 'appliance_dns_name/appliance/index.html'(http://appliance_dns_name/appliance/index.html) using an appliance administrator account.

2. Click the TOTP Tool icon from the Tools palette and drag it to the Tools panel.

3. Click the TOTP icon on the Tools panel, then click Configure.

4. On the registration page, enter your secret key and select a validity time for your OTP codes (shorter times are considered more secure).

5. Select the check box next to one or more applications to enable them for TOTP. By default, no applications are enabled for TOTP.

Using TOTP

To use TOTP with Google Authenticator, follow these steps:

1. On your mobile device, open Google Authenticator and add a new account.

2. Enter the 16-character secret key from the CloudAccess One-Time Authentication Code page into Google Authenticator.

3. View the 6-character code that Google Authenticator displays for CloudAccess.

4. Type the OTP code into the One-Time Authentication Code page on your computer, then click Sign In.

Tips and Troubleshooting

* If you enter an expired code, don't enter a code, mistype the code, or make an error when setting up the secret key, you'll need to generate a new code and try again.

* If the code doesn't validate, the registration page will be redisplayed with the current secret key.

* Make sure to wait until the activation is complete across all nodes in the cluster before attempting any other configuration actions.

By using Google Authenticator for TOTP, you can add an extra layer of security to your CloudAccess account and protect yourself from unauthorized access. With this guide, you should be able to set up and use TOTP with ease.

Google authenticator totp