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Two-factor authentication

Protect your password sign-in with an authenticator app, with email codes and backup codes as fallbacks.

Two-factor authentication asks for a code from your authenticator app each time you sign in with your password. If you don't have your phone, you can get a code by email or use a backup code.

You need an HCode password first. Without one, the Two-factor authentication card on /account says "Set an HCode password before connecting an authenticator app." and offers Set HCode password. See Password and sign-in.

The card only appears when you signed in with your email and password. In a session opened from the HostAfrica client panel, sign in directly first.

Turn it on

  1. On /account, in Two-factor authentication, click Enable 2FA.
  2. Enter your Password and click Continue.
  3. Scan the QR code with an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Authy. If you can't scan it, type the key shown under the QR code into the app instead.
  4. Click I've scanned the code.
  5. Enter the 6-digit Verification code from the app and click Verify.
  6. Save the backup codes HCode shows. Copy codes copies them all. Each code works once.
  7. Click Done.

The card then shows "Authenticator app connected" and is marked "Enabled".

Sign in with two-factor

After your email and password, HCode shows Verify your identity:

  • Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app and click verify.
  • Or click send code via email and enter the code sent to your account's email address. You can ask for another after 30 seconds.
  • Or click use backup code and enter one of your backup codes. A used code stops working.

HCode remembers the browser once you have verified on it, so you are not asked for a code every time you sign in there.

Note

Two-factor protects sign-in with your HCode password. Opening HCode from the HostAfrica client panel doesn't ask for an HCode code; that route relies on your client panel login.

View your backup codes

  1. Click View backup codes.
  2. Re-enter your Password and click Continue.
  3. Click Copy codes to copy them, then Close.

Generate new backup codes

If you have used most of your backup codes, or think someone else has seen them, replace them.

  1. Click Generate new backup codes.
  2. Enter your Password and click Continue.
  3. Save the codes in the New backup codes window. Copy codes copies them all.
  4. Click Close.

Your old backup codes stop working as soon as the new ones are created.

Turn it off

  1. Click Disable 2FA.
  2. Enter your Password.
  3. Click Disable 2FA to confirm.

If you have lost your authenticator app, sign in with an email code or a backup code first, then turn two-factor off or set it up again with a new device.