How does Google Authenticator work?

Patryk’s blog delves into Google Authenticator:

When you’re accessing services over the WEB – let’s pick GMail as an example – couple of things have to happen upfront:

  1. The server you’re connecting to (GMail in our example) has to get to know who you are.
  2. Only after getting to know who you are it’s able to decide what resources you are allowed to access (e.g. your own email inbox, your CalendarDrive etc.).

Step 1 above is called authentication. Step 2 is authorization (server can authorize only after successful authentication).

Using apps like Google Authenticator is all about step 1. And you can think of that step as logging in to your GMail account.

What problem are we solving?

Authentication is typically performed using one (or more) of the following approaches:

  1. What you know? – The server “tests you” by asking about something only you are supposed to know (e.g. username and password). That’s the most common approach. You’re presented with a login form where you enter your credentials.
  2. What you have? – The server tests you by making sure you have something that you’re supposed to have (e.g. a secret of sorts embedded in the bowels of Google Authenticator installed on your smartphone). Only you are supposed to have physical access to your phone. If you don’t (in other words you can’t open the app and type the code), authentication fails.
  3. Who you are – The server tests your biometrics. This could be done using a fingerprint reader in your smartphone/laptop, face ID in your iPhone etc.

Read more in the post here.


Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!

Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm ET for Ask an Engineer!

Join over 38,000+ makers on Adafruit’s Discord channels and be part of the community! http://adafru.it/discord

CircuitPython – The easiest way to program microcontrollers – CircuitPython.org


New Products – Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! — New Products 11/15/2024 Featuring Adafruit bq25185 USB / DC / Solar Charger with 3.3V Buck Board! (Video)

Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: A New Arduino MicroPython Package Manager, How-Tos and Much More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi

EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey

Adafruit IoT Monthly — The 2024 Recap Issue!

Maker Business – Adafruit Daily — Apple to build another chip at TSMC Arizona

Electronics – Adafruit Daily — SMT Tip – Stop moving around!

Get the only spam-free daily newsletter about wearables, running a "maker business", electronic tips and more! Subscribe at AdafruitDaily.com !


No Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.