Two-factor authentication is an important part of improving security, increasing productivity and flexibility, lowering helpdesk and security management costs, reducing fraud with the ability to build secure online relationships. TimeSolv understands that while the internet is a trusted medium for hosting critical applications and information, passwords can often be the weak link in the chain of security between a web application and a user. That’s where our secure two-factor authentication feature comes up.
Two-factor authentication is a second layer of security to protect your account. Users must go through two layers of security before being granted access to an account or system. The first would be their TimeSolv username and password, and the second factor would be a one-time PIN code. This week’s Tip of the Week will walk you through setting up two-factor authentication.
First of all, you will want to make sure you enable it under Account>Settings>General tab.
Specify how often users need to authenticate and select the authentication type as either ‘By email‘ or ‘By Authenticator App‘. If you set it as ‘by email’, the user will get a one-time PIN code emailed to their registered address which they’ll need to log in. If it’s set as ‘by authenticator app’, the user will need to scan a QR code on an authenticator app to generate their one-time PIN code.
For an authenticator app setting, once settings have been enabled, next time users attempt to log in they will have to go through a series of steps before they can access their TimeSolv accounts. When they try to log in, they will see this screen:
This means that the user will first have to install an authenticator app if they haven’t done so already. To download the app on your phone, open up the app store on your phone and search for an authentication app, or scan the QR code from your phone by clicking on ‘click here’ link shown on ‘Step 1‘ of the TimeSolv screen. TimeSolv recommends the Microsoft Authenticator app.
In this example, I’ll lead you through the steps on the Microsoft Authenticator app. Once you’ve downloaded the authenticator app, open it up and click on ‘Add account‘. Select ‘Other‘ for the kind of account you’ll be adding. This will open up a QR code scanner. Scan the code you see on ‘Step 2‘ of the TimeSolv screen.
Once successfully scanned, you’ll get a unique 6 digit PIN code from the authenticator app that’s only valid for a few seconds, so make sure you’re quick to type that into the field shown on ‘Step 3‘ of the TimeSolv screen. You should be logged in now and ready to go.
Two-factor authentication increases the safety of online accounts by requiring two types of information from the user, such as a PIN, before the user can log in. The first factor is the password; the second factor is the additional item. This increases security for the account helping you build secure online relationships with your customers.
If you’d like TimeSolv support for more help in understanding our two-factor authentication, please call 1.800.715.1284 or Contact support