Enabling "Two-Factor Authentication" will provide an extra layer of security to your account when logging in, by requiring the use of continually refreshing login codes retrieved on a device that you own, such as a phone. With Two-Factor Authentication enabled, in addition to your regular account password, a Two-Factor Authentication code will be required with each login.
You can enable "Two-Factor Authentication" on your account on mywebhostingaccount.com, by following these steps:
- Login to your account at mywebhostingaccount.com
- In the top menu click "Hello, [Your Name]", then "Security Settings"
- Under "Two-Factor Authentication", click "Click here to Enable"
- "Time Based Tokens" will already be selected, click "Get Started"
- On the device you are going to use to generate and retrieve the login codes, download an authenticator app like "Google Authenticator" or "Duo"
- While in the authenticator app on your device, scan the QR code that is show on the screen on mywebhostingaccount.com. This will create a profile on the device's authenticator app that will be used for the login codes.
- on mywebhostingaccount.com, enter the 6-digit login code retrieved from your device in order to verify and complete setup.
- Click "Submit"
- It will then show that Two-Factor Authentication is enabled and give you a backup code that can be used if Two-Factor Authentication ever cannot be used normally.
Note: If Two-Factor Authentication is already enabled, you can disable it from the same page as detailed in the steps above, by going to "Hello, [Your Name]", then "Security Settings" when logged in to your web hosting account.
Note: It is important to keep the backup code stored somewhere in case you cannot use the authenticator app on the original device it was first set up on. After logging in using the backup code, you can go into your account to the menu option "Hello, [Your Name]", then "Security Settings", where you can disable Two-Factor Authentication, then enable and set up Two-Factor Authentication again on any new device.
Note: If you want to authenticate using a new or additional device, if signed in with your Google account on the "Google Authenticator" app, your codes will automatically be backed up and restored on any new device you use. If you are signed in to Google on the authenticator app, but your codes are not syncing to the cloud, on the authenticator app there will be an icon of a grey cloud with a line through it in the top right. To try to fix this cloud syncing issue, you can try the steps below:
- Go to the main hamburger menu on the Google Authenticator app
- Select "Settings"
- Select "Time correction for codes"
- Select "Sync now"
- Now exit the app, and when you next open it, you should see a green cloud with a check mark, rather than a cloud with a cross through it.
If not signed in to a Google Account on the Google Authenticator app, you can also manually transfer codes to another device (if you still have your old device). See more info about syncing and transferring authentication codes on the Google Help article here: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447
