Does Google Authenticator QR code expire?
In this scheme, the QR code cannot "expire".
Go to the security verification settings screen. For information on how to get to this screen, see Changing your security settings. Check the box next to Authenticator app then select Configure. This brings up a screen with a QR code on it.
You can also generate one-time use backup codes (also called recovery codes) that don't expire. They can be used in place of the TOTP codes if you don't have access to your authenticator.
The 2FA codes are generated using Time-based One-time Password Algorithm and codes are valid for six minutes. If you take more than six minutes to enter the code, you'll get an Invalid code error message. So, using this method, you cannot make the code expire after user.
If you want to reactivate a specific QR Code, you need to upgrade the account the QR Code was created in. To upgrade, log in to your account and go to Account - Features & Pricing. It's not possible to reactivate a QR Code by creating and upgrading a new account.
Before the setting is saved and Google Authenticator based 2-Step verification is enabled for you and other administrators, you will be asked to complete the Google Authentication registration. A QR Code will be shown on the Dashboard, with instructions to download Google Authenticator application.
If you've lost access to your primary phone, you can verify it's you with: Another phone signed in to your Google Account. Another phone number you've added in the 2-Step Verification section of your Google Account. A backup code you previously saved.
These embed the secret directly into the URI as plaintext, and therefore both the URI and the QR Code encoding of it are usable forever - unless the shared secret is reset on the validator end. In this scheme, the QR code cannot "expire".
When you set up Google Authenticator two-factor authentication (2FA) in your account, you're prompted to download a backup key. This code lets you restore access to your account in case you change or lose your phone, or accidentally delete the Google Authenticator app.
How to recover Google authenticator account | 2 FA key recovery
How many digits does Google Authenticator have?
Your account is not only protected with two-factor authentication, but with the added security of Google's six-digit authenticator code.
Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to the authentication process by making it harder for attackers to gain access to a person's devices or online accounts because, even if the victim's password is hacked, a password alone is not enough to pass the authentication check.
Authenticator apps work the same way text-based 2FA does, but instead of having a code sent to you via text, the code appears in the app. The code also changes every 30 seconds or so as an added measure of protection — it's next to impossible for a hacker to guess at the right code when it changes so frequently.
A Dynamic QR Code requires an ongoing subscription. If you subscription has expired, all Dynamic QR Codes will deactivate (but not deleted). You can reactivate these QR Codes simply by starting a subscription.
Recyclable QR codes (dynamic QR codes) can be used over and over again. What makes them recyclable is that the code is linked to a mobile landing page. The owner of the recyclable QR code can login to the dashboard of that mobile landing page and make changes to the page whenever they want.
Setup 2FA Authenticator WITHOUT Scanning QR Codes! - YouTube
But what you may not be aware of is that if you use Google Authenticator for multi-factor authentication, this app and account do not transfer to your new phone. You must physically transfer your authenticator account to your new iPhone or Android before you wipe your old phone.
- On your mobile device, open the Authenticator app, and select Begin recovery.
- Sign in to your recovery account using the personal Microsoft account you used during the backup process. Your account credentials are recovered to the new device.
If you've got two Android phones, you can transfer your accounts to a new phone by exporting them via a QR code generated by the Authenticator app. Install Google Authenticator on your new phone. Tap “Get started.” Tap “Scan a QR code.” You'll get a grid and instructions to “Place QR code within red lines.”
Google Authenticator protects your Google account from keyloggers and password theft. With two-factor authentication, you'll need both your password and an authentication code to log in. The Google Authenticator app runs on Android, iPhone, iPod, iPad and BlackBerry devices.
How do I log into my old Google Authenticator?
- Open Authenticator then tap the three-dot menu icon followed by Transfer accounts.
- Select Export accounts and enter your PIN code when prompted.
- Pick the accounts you want to transfer then tap Next.
- Open Authenticator, tap Get Started,
- Tap Import existing accounts?
TOTP-based: In this method, while enabling 2-factor authentication, the user is asked to scan a QR image using a specific smartphone application. That application then continuously generates the One Time Password for the user.
Another drawback of Google Authenticator that a reader pointed out is no passcode or biometric lock on the app. And this ease of access to the app seems to allow malware to steal 2FA codes directly from Google Authenticator, giving you yet another good reason to dump the app.
- On your Android device, go to your Google Account.
- At the top, tap Security.
- Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You may need to sign in.
- Under "Available second steps," find "Authenticator app" and tap Change Phone.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
It's a 6 digit code generated by the Authenticator App that you need when you're using the 2-factor authentication on your account. Apart from your password, and to ensure the security of your account, this code, generated every 30 seconds, is asked when you want to perform actions such as withdrawals.
Authenticator apps
The authenticator method uses apps such as Google Authenticator, LastPass, 1Password, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy and Yubico. However, while it's safer than 2FA via SMS, there have been reports of hackers stealing authentication codes from Android smartphones.
Hackers can now bypass two-factor authentication with a new kind of phishing scam. Two-factor authentication, the added security step that requires people enter a code sent to their phone or email, has traditionally worked to keep usernames and passwords safe from phishing attacks.
2FA can be vulnerable to several attacks from hackers because a user can accidentally approve access to a request issued by a hacker without acknowledging it. This is because the user may not receive push notifications by the app notifying them of what is being approved.
Authenticator App (More Secure)
Using an authenticator app to generate your Two-Factor login codes is more secure than text message. The primary reason being, it's more difficult for a hacker to gain physical access to your phone and generate a code without you knowing about it.
Mobile or internet connections are not required to use Authenticator. The secret key is an alphanumeric code of 16 or 32 characters generated by the system. The software generates the same code as Google with the help of TOTP technology, which does not require an internet connection.
How many times can a QR code be scanned?
Free Users: While there are no limits on the number QR codes you can create as either a free or paid user, a limit of 50 scans per month is applied to each QR code created by free users.
The data stored in a QR code can include website URLs, phone numbers, or up to 4,000 characters of text. QR codes can also be used to: Link directly to download an app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Authenticate online accounts and verify login details.
Static QR Codes are permanent
The content stored in a Static QR Code is permanent. That is, once the content is encoded, it cannot be edited or updated. Upon scanning, Static QR Codes will show the same content always.
But there is no need to worry. Because the size of the QR code is finite, then the number of QR codes is finite. But it takes a long, long, long time to sweep through all the QR codes. There are now 40 official versions of the QR code (QR code is a matrix QR code symbol developed by Denso in September 1994).
No! You can create as many static QR Codes as you want. However, the number of available dynamic QR Codes will depend on the plan purchased by you.
Select Account Settings in the left navigation. Select the Multifactor Options tab. for the Google Authenticator. For the "Regenerate Key" option, click Regenerate.
- Sign in to your Google Admin console. ...
- In the Admin console, go to Menu Directory. ...
- Click the user you want in the list. ...
- Click Security.
- Click 2-step verification. ...
- Click Get Backup Verification Codes.
- Copy one of the verification codes.
- Send the backup code to the user in an IM or text message.
For most websites and apps, go to your account's security settings, then find "get a QR code", and scan it on your new phone to add the account. Some accounts such as internal line of business tools may require your administrator to reset or enable your multi-factor authentication access.