Configuring MFA Using The Microsoft Authenticator App On An Android Device

You will be asked to provide a mobile phone number as a backup authentication method. This is an optional step and can be skipped. To skip this step click on 'Done.'

Please be careful not to click on the drop-down asking you to select a country, and do not click in the text field where the phone number is to be entered. Doing so alters the page and makes the fields become required.

If the page does not let you proceed, simply close the browser window. Your setup is complete and will not be lost.

How To Use Google Authenticator On A Windows PC

Google Authenticator is one of the best applications that you can use to protect your computer. However, there is no official Google Authenticator application for Windows computers. In this post, we will sort this out and see how you can use Google Authenticator on a Windows PC.

In order to use the Google Authenticator, one needs to generate a PIN. This will be a unique code that only you should have access to. Before doing the same, you should download the Google Authenticator app on your phone. The app is available for both Android and iOS, so, go to PlayStore and App Store respectively to download the application. So, go ahead and download one for your device.

Follow the steps given below to generate Google Authenticator Pin or Code.

Open a browser of your choice and navigate to myaccount.Google.Com.

Once you are on the Security page, go to the "How to sign in to Google section".

Click on 2-Step Verification.

Now, click on Get Started.

You will be asked to log in using your password just to protect your account from unauthorized access, do that, and proceed to the next step.

You then have to find the code that will be used for third-party applications and it will be labeled as "Enter your email address and this key (spaces don't matter)".

That's how you can set up Google Authenticator on your computer. However, we would not recommend you do this, instead, simply generate a code from the Google Authenticator application from your phone.

Next up, we are going to see how you can use the Google Authenticator.

Read: Enable Two Step Authentication in Firefox for Windows

Use Google Authenticator in WinAuth

WinAuth is an authenticator for Windows computers. It is an open-source application and can use the code generated by Google Authenticator. Follow the steps given below to set up WinAuth using Google Authenticator.

Download, install, and open WinAuth on your computer.

Click on Add and then click on Google.

Once the Google Authenticator screen is presented to you, go to the code that we just generated, enter the code in the given field, and click Verify Authenticator.

Now, go back to the security page of Google and click on Next.

Enter the code that you get in WinAuth.

This will set up the authenticator for you. Do keep in that this is not the application that supports Google Authenticator, services such as Authy and WinOTP also support this security protocol.

Read: How to add Work/School accounts to Microsoft Authenticator app

Download and set up the Authenticator extension for Chromium browsers

You also have the privilege of adding the Authenticator extensions to Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers. The Authenticator extension is nothing but a Google Authenticator for browsers. Follow the steps given below to do the same.

Go to chrome.Google.Com to download the Authenticator extension. Do keep in mind that this link will work for every single Chromium-based browser.

Now, install and add that extension.

Once the extension is installed, open it and click on the Pencil icon.

You will then be asked to enter an account name and password, do to set up your Google Authenticator.

That's it!

Also Read: Use Microsoft Authenticator app to Backup and Restore credentials

Can I install Google Authenticator on my desktop?

Google does not provide a particular application of Google Authenticator for desktop users. However, one can actually generate a code from Google Authenticator using their desktop and a browser of their choice. The only demerit here is that the process to generate the PIN will be a little longer than usual. You can also make use of an extension called Authenticator, which is nothing but a Google Authenticator for Chromium-based browsers.

How do I install Google Authenticator on Chrome?

It is pretty simple to install Google Authenticator on Chrome. The extension for it is called Authenticator and one can simply add it to their browser to set up. If you want to know more about it, we recommend checking the mentioned above.

Read: How to move Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone?

Duo Vs Microsoft Authenticator (2023): In-depth Comparison

This is a comparison of Duo and Microsoft Authenticator. Learn more about their key differences, features, security, and performance in this in-depth analysis.

Two-factor authentication, which is a form of multi-factor authentication, has emerged as a crucial security measure for organizations to enhance the security of their users. Duo and Microsoft Authenticator are two popular apps that provide this level of security.

Duo uses push notifications, time-based, one-time passwords, physical tokens and biometrics to verify the identity of users at login. Similarly, Microsoft Authenticator uses push notifications, one-time passcodes, and biometrics for authentication and can integrate with Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory. While both 2FA options share some similarities, there are still key differences that can sway your decision to choose one over the other.

Jump to Duo vs. Microsoft Authenticator: Comparison table Features Duo Microsoft Authenticator Push notifications Yes Yes Biometrics authentication Yes Yes One-time passcodes Yes Yes Integrations with other products and services Very wide Microsoft-first and limited Backup and recovery Yes Yes Pricing Comes with a free trial and starts at $3 per user, per month. Offers a free version but comes bundled with Microsoft Azure Active Directory and 365 Business accounts Duo vs Microsoft Authenticator pricing

Below is how Duo and Microsoft Authenticator square up against each other in terms of pricing.

Duo pricing (Free plan; then starts at $3 per user, per month for next-level plan)

Duo follows a tiered system based on features and services you would like added to the application.

Free plan: The free version allows up to 10 users and offers fundamental security features.

Essential: This plan starts at $3 per user, per month and supports additional features including single sign-on, verified Duo push, trusted endpoints, passwordless authentication, and user group policies.

Advantage: The Duo Advantage plan is $6 per user, per month and includes everything supported in the Essential plan plus other advanced features like risk-based authentication, adaptive access policies, device health checks, complete device visibility and threat detection.

Premier: This plan starts at $9 per user, pre month and encompasses every feature in the Advantage plan, including complete device trust with endpoint protection check, a comprehensive package for zero-trust access, and VPN-less remote access to private resources. (Figure A) 

Figure A

DUO single sign on. Microsoft Authenticator pricing (Free; bundled into some existing products)

Microsoft Authenticator pricing follows a straightforward model of being free and bundled with all Microsoft Azure Active Directory and 365 Business accounts. For a full list of prices and features, visit this guide to determine if Microsoft Authenticator is bundled with your organization's existing licenses.

Feature comparison: Duo vs. Microsoft Authenticator

Both Duo and Microsoft Authenticator present excellent features to users but here is a head-to-head feature comparison:

Application Programming Interface integration

Most enterprise organizations considering Duo or Microsoft Authenticator will want to integrate these apps with existing software or custom software and server applications. Duo supports unlimited application integrations through its platform on all editions available. On the other hand, while Microsoft Authenticator also integrates with other third-party products and services, it is far easier to integrate with Microsoft-supported services because it's already bundled with some of them.

Security features

Both Duo and Microsoft Authenticator prioritize security and offer robust features to protect user accounts. Duo supports adaptive authentication, which assesses the risk of each login attempt and prompts for additional verification when necessary. It also provides granular access policies, allowing administrators to define specific authentication requirements based on user roles and conditions. Microsoft Authenticator leverages the power of Azure Active Directory to deliver advanced security features such as conditional access policies, risk-based authentication, and seamless single sign-on experiences across applications. It also supports hardware-backed security keys for enhanced protection against phishing attacks.

Authentication methods

Both Duo and Microsoft Authenticator provide multiple authentication methods. Duo offers a variety of authentication options, including push notifications, one-time passcodes (OTPs), phone calls, and hardware tokens. Microsoft Authenticator also supports push notifications, OTPs, and biometric authentication (fingerprint, facial recognition) on supported devices. (Figure B)

Figure B

Microsoft Authenticator push notification. Backup and recovery

Duo provides options for the backup and recovery of authentication devices. Users can enroll multiple devices as backups, ensuring access to their accounts even if their primary device is lost or unavailable. This feature adds an extra layer of convenience and ensures continuity of access. Microsoft Authenticator also offers backup and recovery options, allowing users to securely store their accounts and settings in the cloud. This feature enables easy restoration of accounts on new devices or in case of device loss. (Figure C)

Figure C

Verification for DUO push. Duo pros and cons

While Duo presents many benefits to users, it also leaves some drawbacks. Here is a summary of the pros and cons.

Pros

Single sign-on.

Passwordless.

Multiple authentication methods.

Push Phishing Protection.

Threat Detection.

Backup and recovery.

Cons

Duo Free accounts are limited to 10 users.

Slightly cluttered UI in certain places due to the wide variety of authentication options.

Security notifications sometimes take longer than expected.

Microsoft Authenticator pros and cons

Microsoft authenticator offers powerful two-factor authentication features, but there may be a few drawbacks some users say they have experienced while using the product. Below are some of the pros and cons.

Pros

Passwordless sign-in.

Push notifications through mobile app.

The authenticator app can be used as a software token.

Backup and recovery support.

Cons

Multi-factor report option is only supported in the higher plans.

Pricing model may be complicated for some users to navigate.

May not be ideal for companies that do not have Microsoft ecosystems.

Methodology

In order to draw a fair comparison between Duo and Microsoft Authenticator, we started by going through the documentation pages of each product, where we learned about their key features and how they integrate with other technologies. We also checked out user reviews from trusted third-party review sites to fetch some opinions from verified users. The writer also uses Microsoft Authenticator, making it easier to discuss the product based on my experience. All these provided enough insight that helped in shaping our review.

Should your organization use Duo or Microsoft Authenticator?

Picking one 2FA software over another can be challenging, especially when many striking similarities bind the products together. For Duo and Microsoft Authenticator, the main point of reference when you have to decide to pick between the two should revolve around your overall technology stack, ease of use and pricing.

If you heavily rely on Microsoft products such as Azure Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and other Microsoft services, Microsoft Authenticator may provide a more seamless and integrated experience. On the other hand, if you have a diverse set of platforms and applications, Duo's broad compatibility and extensive integration capabilities make it a more versatile choice. Duo integrates easily with services like Slack, Atlassian, Salesforce, Dropbox and more.

You should also consider the pricing models and how they meet your business requirements and budgets. Duo's pricing structure varies depending on the features and support level chosen, while Microsoft Authenticator is typically bundled with Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Duo's pricing is more comprehensive and transparent, unlike Microsoft's, which is more complicated due to its bundling with Azure Directory and Microsoft 365 subscriptions. So, it's important to evaluate your organization's specific needs and consider the associated costs when comparing the pricing of these solutions.

Also, consider the user experience and ease of use. Evaluate the authentication methods each solution offers and their compatibility with your users' devices. Both Duo and Microsoft Authenticator provide seamless user experiences, but preferences may vary depending on your organization's tech stack, user base and how familiar they are with each platform. You can use the free versions offered by each solution to determine which provides the best user experience for your company. The free tier could help you assess things such as the simplicity of setup, the intuitiveness of the authentication process, and any additional features that enhance usability.

Finally, the decision between Duo and Microsoft Authenticator will depend on your organization's unique needs, infrastructure, and priorities. Consider conducting a pilot test with both solutions to evaluate their performance and compatibility within your business environment. This will allow you to gather firsthand experience and feedback from your users and administrators before making a final decision.

For a more comprehensive evaluation of two-factor authentication based on security impact and strategic business initiative, check out this two-factor authentication evaluation guide.

Read next: Two-factor authentication: A cheat sheet

---