Question/answer » How does two-factor authentication work?
To secure your account with extra "Authentication in two steps" is available. With this extra layer of security you can be sure that you are the only person who has access to your account, even if someone else has your password. It works on the basis that you log in with something that you know (your password, step 1) and something that you own (a smartphone / tablet with the free Google Authenticator app, step 2).
By default this extra protection is switched off, but it is recommended to activate this extra protection. This extra security layer is only possible if you have a smartphone or tablet.
Set 2-step verification
If you are logged in you can go to the 'Authentication in two steps' page. You can access this page by clicking on 'My profile' in the top right menu. On this page you will find the "Turn on / off two-step verification" option.
If you have not yet set 2-step Authentication, the page will look like this.
The setting consists of 3 steps.
First of all, do you need to install the Google Authenticator app on your smartphone or tablet once? This app is in Google's Play Store (if you have an Android phone) and Apple's App Store (if you have an iPhone or iPad).
If the Google Authenticator is installed, you must start it on your smartphone or tablet. In Google Authenticator, click on 'Add account' (red +), choose 'Scan a barcode' and point the camera of your smartphone at the QR code that is displayed on your screen.
If you see the 'Coret Genealogy' account in Google Authenticator, the addition was successful, then confirm its use by clicking on the green button. This makes the Authentication active in two steps.
If you receive a new smartphone or tablet in the future, you must first turn off the Authentication in two steps and then set it back as described above.
Log in via Authentication in two steps
If you want to log in, the first step is as usual. Enter your e-mail address and password and click on Login. After this, the second step in the login process appears:
Start Google Authenticator on your smartphone or tablet and look up the 6-digit code that belongs to 'Coret Genealogy'. Enter the code and press Login. When you have entered a good code you are completely logged in. Entering a correct code is remembered for one month on the device you are using. So, if you log in again tomorrow, the second step will be skipped.
If you do not have your smartphone or tablet with Google Authenticator at hand when the code is requested, you cannot log in! If it is urgent you can contact Coret Genealogy and request that the Authentication be switched off in two steps. You may be asked for additional identification, since it is not intended that someone else has access to your account.
Disable 2-step verification
If you are logged in you can go to the 'Authentication in two steps' page. You can access this page by clicking on 'My profile' in the top right-hand menu and then 'Turning on / off two-step verification'.
If you have configured Authentication in two steps, the page will look like this:
By entering your password and clicking on the button you confirm the disabling of Authentication in two steps. After this you will no longer be asked for the code when logging in. Note that your account is less secure with this. If someone else has your e-mail and password, that person can log in to your account in no time. Two-step authentication prevents that because the two security step is based on something you have (smartphone / tablet), that other person does not.
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