How to Manage Two-Factor Authentication
Validated on 22 May 2023 - Last edited on 22 May 2023
Using two-factor authentical (2FA) on FibaCloud adds an additional layer of security against unauthorized access to your account. Even if a bad actor gains access to your password, they still cannot access your FibaCloud without also having your phone. On your My Account page, you can edit account information and settings, like your name, password, sign-in method, two-factor authentication, team membership, and email subscriptions.
We strongly recommend enabling 2FA on all FibaCloud accounts. Our default account authorization protects accounts without 2FA enabled, but not as effectively as using 2FA itself.
What is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is an authentication process that requires users to provide two different forms of verification before granting access to a system or application. The first factor is usually a password or PIN, and the second factor can be anything from a fingerprint or facial recognition scan to a text message or phone call with a unique code. This multi-layered approach to security makes it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, even if they manage to obtain a user's credentials through phishing or other means.
FibaCloud supports 2FA for accounts in the form of a security code that you use in addition to your password when you log in. You can receive the code via SMS or an authenticator app on your smartphone. We do not currently support hardware keys like YubiKey.
Default Account Authentication
When you first create your account, 2FA is disabled, but FibaCloud takes other steps to protect your account.
Each time you log in from a new location using a new device or a different web browser, we email an authorization code to the address linked to your account. You will need to check your email, retrieve the code, and enter it to complete your login.
This means that even without 2FA enabled, a bad actor would need both your FibaCloud password and your email password to log in. This is not as effective as 2FA, but it increases the difficulty for would-be attackers and provides you with notification if someone is trying to access your account.
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
To enable 2FA for your FibaCloud account, log in to the control panel and click the profile icon in the top right corner.
In the menu that opens, click Account Settings to go to your My Account Settings. Then, in the Secure Your Account section, click Configure 2FA.
Using an App (Preferred)
Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, Microsoft Authenticator, and Duo are small, free mobile applications used to generate security codes. They work globally and are more secure than SMS because they don not transmit the security codes across the network.
When you choose this method, you need to scan the provided QR code using the authenticator app on your phone or tablet. This links your device to your FibaCloud account.
If you cannot scan the QR code, use the numeric code that you can enter manually. Follow the directions in your specific authenticator app to enter the code, then enter the PIN that the app gives you in the space provided. Once you have entered the PIN, the app links with your FibaCloud account.
Once your FibaCloud account and 2FA app are linked, when you log into FibaCloud, you will need to open the app and enter the code provided in the control panel to finish logging in.
Some authenticator apps have features like backups and syncing to help you restore access to the app if you lose your device. We recommend using these features for added reliability.
Disabling Two-Factor Authentication
To disable 2FA for your FibaCloud account, log in to the control panel and click the profile icon in the top right corner.
In the menu that opens, click Account Settings to go to your My Account Settings. Then, in the Secure Your Account section, click Configure 2FA.
Click the Deactive 2FA button to disable two-factor authentication. Then enter your account password to continue the process.
Switching Authenticator Apps
If you have enabled 2FA for your account and are using an authentication app, you can change the current app you are using to authenticate your FibaCloud account by disabling 2FA and then enabling it again using your preferred authentication app.
To switch your authentication app, follow the steps above to first disable 2FA for your account, then enable 2FA again using your new authentication app.