How to turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects your Viindoo account with a second step after your password: a 6-digit code from an authenticator app on your phone. To turn it on, open My Preferences, go to the Security tab, click Enable 2FA, scan the QR code with the app and enter the code it shows. From then on, Viindoo asks for a new code each time you sign in.

Who

Every user, for their own account. An Administrator can turn 2FA off for another user but cannot turn it on for them.

App

Your user preferences (no app to install)

Before you start

Install an authenticator app on your phone, for example Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy or FreeOTP. Many password managers, such as 1Password and Bitwarden, can also generate the codes. This guide uses Google Authenticator.

How do I turn on two-factor authentication?

  1. Click your avatar in the top right corner and choose My Preferences.

    My Preferences in the user menu at the top right of Viindoo

  2. In the Change my Preferences window, open the Security tab and click Enable 2FA in the Two-factor Authentication row.

    Enable 2FA button in the Security tab of the preferences

  3. In the Access Control window, enter your Viindoo password and click Confirm Password. Viindoo skips this window if you confirmed your password a few minutes ago.

    Access Control window asking for your password before turning on 2FA

  4. The Two-Factor Authentication Activation window shows a QR code. Keep it open. The QR code and the key under Cannot scan it? are secret: never share them.

    Two-Factor Authentication Activation window with the QR code and the verification code field

  5. In Google Authenticator, tap + then Scan a QR code, and scan the code on your screen. If you cannot scan it, click Cannot scan it? in Viindoo and type the key shown into the app (Enter a setup key).

    Scan a QR code and Enter a setup key options in Google Authenticator

  6. The app now shows a 6-digit code for your Viindoo account that changes every 30 seconds. Type the current code in Verification code and click Enable Two-Factor Authentication.

    Six-digit code typed in the Verification code field before enabling two-factor authentication

The Two-factor Authentication row of the Security tab now shows Enabled and a Disable button.

Security tab showing that two-factor authentication is enabled

How do I sign in with two-factor authentication?

  1. Sign in with your email and password as usual.

  2. On the Two-factor Authentication screen, type the code shown in your authenticator app in Authentication Code and click Log in.

    Two-factor Authentication sign-in screen with the Authentication Code field

Tick Don’t ask again on this device before clicking Log in if you use your own computer. Viindoo then stops asking for a code on that browser. To remove this trust at any time, click Log out from all devices at the bottom of the Devices list in the Security tab.

What if I lose my phone?

You cannot sign in without the code. Ask an Administrator to turn 2FA off for your account: in Settings ‣ Users & Companies ‣ Users, open your user, go to the Security tab and click Disable in the Two-factor Authentication row. Then sign in with your password and turn 2FA on again with your new phone.

Common errors

Message

What to do

Verification failed, please double-check the 6-digit code

The code expired or was mistyped. Wait for the next code in the app and enter it at once. A code that has already been used is refused (Verification failed, please use the latest 6-digit code). If it keeps failing, check that the time on your phone is set automatically.

The verification code should only contain numbers

Type only the 6 digits, without spaces.

Two-factor authentication can only be enabled for yourself

Each user must turn on 2FA from their own profile. An Administrator cannot do it for them.

Next steps