Bitcoin Forum

Do i understand correctly how a 2FA (two factor authorization) works using ones smartphone (with Android) on exchanges like Bitstamp for example...?

1) I download through a PC (i dont have an internet connection on my (super) cheap mobile phone android (4.1 i think) so i can use internet only on my PC). I download specialized app that the exchange recommends  (like Google Authenticator or DUO). I copy the instalation files to my android phone. I instal it on my android phone.
2) I setup the necessary things on the exchange using my PC connection.
3) Once everything is set up, each time i will want to log into my exchange account, i will have to type in my password. And then generate a special password on my phone to enter?
(i dont have the receive this one time password through sms, there is a possibility to generate this one time passwords each time just by using my phone, no sms, correct)?

(this "process" is quite the same regardless of the exchange, also correct?)

Do i understand this process correctly, mainly the points 1-3?

(Thank you a lot :-)! ).

Can't you use wifi to download Google Authenticator app to your phone? I think that would be much easier than trying to download the installation files through your PC and then copying them to your phone.

1. yes (some exchanges even have apps to download try that also you need only to generate PIN for entry)
2. you need and QR code scan for this step
3. correct , for this some advice if happens on exchange to get "you GA code is always invalid" then just simply synchronize the time on authenticator app from settings(android) and for iOS please try to set correct time manually on your phone

This is only problem that i had so far and this is good thing to know.

As stated downloading it through wifi or Mobile data is quite easier than downloading it to computer and once again moving it to the phone. This is just a very small file that would be having a maximum of 20 Mb and once you open it you'll get step by step procedure to activate 2FA.

Thanks all for advice.

But i can download the Android app using my PC and then transfer it to my smartphone using USB connection (between pc and smartphone). Correct? it just takes a little bit time cause i need to plugin the smartphone to pc etc. I do NOT have to download directly the app using ONLY the smartphone, correct?

(im asking because i have never used any wifi or internet on my mobile phone and im not interested in finding out how to properly set everything up, for me its much easier to just plug the phone to PC using USB and copy the downloaded file (app) from PC to mobile and instal it on mobile. This is possible?

Yes, that is perfectly fine, either way is okay. If you see it easier than other methods then that's the best way, its better that you completely know what you're about to do than make things complicated because you follow others instruction.

Thanks.

Just probably last thing- which app for 2fa is better? Bitstamp for example recommends either  Google Authenticator or DUO (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duosecurity.duomobile )

I would rather use probably the DUO since im worried that the google one might be connected somehow with my other google stuff (email, account etc.) and i dont want this (because of privacy and because of a hack of gmail etc.) in google i believe everything (service) is somehow connected... so i would rather use the DUO app. Is a good idea?

I think the google authenticator is also very secure, you can use them as you wish, although it is connected to other accounts in its system, but its security is very high, and they are almost Never been hacked. But I still respect your decision. Both are great