Adding an extra layer of security to your MintServers account is crucial for protecting your servers and data. Two-factor authentication (2FA) does exactly that by requiring a second verification step when you log in.
This guide will show you how to easily enable and disable 2FA using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy to keep your account perfectly safe. We also recommend turning on Login Alerts for even better visibility into who is accessing your account.
How to Enable 2FA
Follow these simple steps to enable two-factor authentication on your account.
- Access Your Security Settings: First, log into your dashboard. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account Security from the menu.
- Set Up Your Authenticator App:
- Click the "Enable Two-Factor Authentication" button.
- Open your preferred authenticator app on your phone and scan the QR code displayed on the screen.
- Enter the 6-digit code generated by your app to link it to your account.
- Save Your Backup Codes: After enabling 2FA, you will be shown a list of backup codes. Download or print these codes immediately and store them in a safe, secure place. Each code can only be used once. These are absolutely essential for regaining access if you ever lose your phone or device!
How to Disable 2FA
If you need to disable 2FA, the process is also handled right inside your security settings.
- Navigate to 2FA Settings: Go back to the "Account Security" page. You will see a button to disable the feature.
- Confirm Disabling: Click the "Disable Two-Factor Authentication" button. You will be prompted to enter a final 6-digit code from your authenticator app to confirm the action.
Recommended: Turn On Login Alerts
Login Alerts are an optional security feature that emails you whenever your account is signed in from a device or IP address we have not seen before. They work perfectly alongside 2FA, because if someone ever gets hold of your password, you will know about it right away.
Login Alerts are turned off by default, so you will need to enable them yourself:
- Open Your Security Settings: Go to the same page where you set up 2FA and find the Login Alerts section, located just below Two Factor Authentication.
- Enable the Toggle: Switch on the Email me about new sign-ins toggle.
🛠️ Important Notes & Troubleshooting
- Two-factor authentication is required for all administrative accounts to ensure maximum security.
- MintServers only supports authenticator apps for 2FA; SMS verification is not supported.
- Lost Access: If you lose access to your authenticator and your backup codes, you will need to contact support and may be asked to provide a government-issued ID to securely verify your identity before we can restore access.
- Invalid Codes: If your 6-digit codes are not working, ensure your phone/device's time is synchronized automatically via the internet, as time desync is the most common cause of invalid codes!
- Too Many Sign-In Emails: If Login Alerts are sending you more emails than you would like, you can switch off the Email me about new sign-ins toggle at any time. Your 2FA protection is not affected.
Using 2FA is one of the best ways to keep your account and servers secure, and it only takes a minute to set up. No worries if you run into any trouble during the process! Just open a support ticket and our team will gladly jump in and help you out.