Setting up Google Authenticator as second factor for VPN

This user guide will help you set up the Google Authenticator app as a second factor for multi-factor authentication for VPN.

Requirements

  • a device (i.e. laptop) on which you want to use VPN with multi-factor authentication 
  • a mobile device with Android or iOS (iPhone or iPad) and a precisely set time for the app Google Authenticator

Android

Search for Google Authenticator in the Google Play Store and tap Install.

Screenshot installing Google Authenticator


Open the app and tap Get started.

Screenshot Get started


Tap on Scan a QR code.

Screenshot QR-Code scannen

 

  1. Allow the app to take pictures and record videos by tapping While using the app or Only this time.
  2. In the browser of your other device (i.e. laptop) that you want to use VPN on, open the form Setting up second factor
  3. Click on Setting up TOTP authentication app.

Screenshot setting up TOTP authentication app


Now scan the QR code displayed there with your mobile device.

Screenshot scanning QR code


Confirm with ADD ACCOUNT so that the authentication key is added to the app.

An account with the name ZID (ZID Universität Wien: UserID) has now been added to the authentication app. Below this, a one-time password is displayed, which is renewed every 30 seconds. The amount of time you have until the next one-time password is generated is shown in the circle on the right.

Screenshot account in Google Authenticator


Now enter this one-time password in the One-time password field of the form and click OK before the time expires.

Screenshot entering one-time password


Multi-factor authentication is now activated.

Screenshot Google Authenticator set up

 Note

For user guides on how to subsequently log on to the VPN with multi-factor authentication, see Establishing a VPN connection.

iOS

Search for Google Authenticator in the App Store and install the app by tapping GET.

Screenshot installing Google Authenticator


Open the app and tap Get started.

Screenshot starting Google Authenticator


Tap on Scan a QR code.

Screenshot scanning QR code


Tap OK to allow access to the camera.

Screenshot allowing access to camera

 

 

  1. In the browser of your other device (i.e. laptop) that you want to use VPN on, open the form Setting up second factor
  2. Click on Setting up TOTP authentication app.

Screenshot setting up TOTP authentication app


Now scan the QR code displayed there with your mobile device.

Screenshot scanning QR code


An account with the name ZID (ZID Universität Wien: UserID) has now been added to the authentication app. Below this, a one-time password is displayed, which is renewed every 30 seconds. The amount of time you have until the next one-time password is generated is shown in the circle on the right.

Screenshot account added


Now enter this one-time password in the One-time password field of the form and click OK before the time expires.

Screenshot entering one-time password


Multi-factor authentication is now activated.

Screenshot multi-factor authentication activated

 Note

For user guides on how to subsequently log on to the VPN with multi-factor authentication, see Establishing a VPN connection.