How to install and use the open source OTPClient 2FA tool on Linux

Two-factor authentication (2FA) isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than relying on the standard username/password security convention. For those that use 2FA, mobile options like Authy and the Google Authenticator are the most-used choices. But what about those looking for an open source GUI 2FA tool for the Linux desktop? If that’s you, there’s OTPClient.

OTPClient is a highly secure and easy to use GTK+ 2FA tool that supports both time-based one-time Passwords (TOTP) and HMAC-based one-time passwords (HOTP). Other features include:

• Custom digits (between 4 and 10 inclusive)

• Custom period for codes to be valid (between 10 and 120 seconds inclusive)

• Supports SHA1, SHA256 and SHA512 algorithms

• Supports steam codes

• Import encrypted Authenticator Plus backup

• Import and export encrypted and/or plain andOTP backup

• Encrypted local database is encrypted using AES256-GCM

I want to walk you through the installation and use of OTPClient. I’ll be demonstrating on Ubuntu Desktop 19.10, but the installation process will work with any Debian-based distribution.

SEE: Windows 10 security: A guide for business leaders (TechRepublic Premium)

How to install the OTPClient

In order to install OTPClient, we must first add the necessary repository. Open a terminal window and issue the command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dawidd0811/otpclient

When prompted, hit Enter on your keyboard to add the repository. Once that command completes, update apt with the command:

sudo apt-get update

Finally, install OTPClient with the command:

sudo apt-get install otpclient -y

When the installation completes, you should see an OTPClient entry in your desktop menu (Figure A). 

Figure A

Click the OTPClient entry to open the app.

How to use the OTPClient

When you first launch OTPClient, you’ll be prompted to either restore or create a database (Figure B).

Figure B

Click Create New Database and, when prompted, give the new database a name and a location (Figure C).

Figure C

Next, type and verify a password to protect the database and click OK (Figure D).

Figure D

Once OTPClient opens, you need to create some tokens. Click the + button in the upper left corner of the main window (Figure E).

Figure E

You have a few options for adding 2FA tokens:

If your system doesn’t have a webcam, take a screenshot of the QR code to be scanned and save it as a .png file. Click the + button on the OTPClient main page and select Using A QR Code | From File. Locate the .png file and click Open (Figure F).

Figure F

The new token will show up in the OTPClient main window, ready to use (Figure G).

Figure G

And that’s all there is to installing and using the open source OTPClient 2FA tool on Linux. 

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