With two-factor authentication (2FA), you enjoy maximum data protection with minimum effort.
2FA is available for both the helloly Webmail Client as well as for the helloly client area and can be set up in just a few minutes.
*Source: Google
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In this article, you will learn about the advantages of two-factor authentication and why it is the best way to protect yourself and your data.
What does 2FA mean and where does it come from?
2FA stands for two-factor authentication. This means that an additional key is requested in addition to the user name and password when logging in. This is usually generated on a second device.
The concept of two-factor authentication is not new. There was already a widespread and accepted form of two-factor authentication in the 1990s: TAN codes.
You got TAN codes from your bank. You needed them for online banking. To make a transfer, you had to authorize it by entering a TAN code. Each TAN code could only be used once
This meant that even from a hacked computer, where criminals had tapped into all the access data, no transfers could be made. Precisely because the TAN list was stored on a second “device”, a piece of paper.
And you could only access this “device” if you held it in your hands on site. Only the TAN codes made online banking secure.
Advantages of 2-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication means a little extra work. This may seem annoying and unnecessary to some. But when it comes to security, there is no alternative to 2FA.
Today, cybercrime is mainly automated. Autonomous botnets use intelligent algorithms and statistical probability to try to guess masses of passwords and hack accounts.
This strategy plays into the hands of that the three most common passwords worldwide are still “password”, “123456” and “123456789”. Passwords of this quality can now be cracked in less than a second.
Unless the account is additionally protected by a 2FA. Then automated hacking is de facto impossible. Even if the password is known.
Advantages of two-factor authentication
- Increased IT security, as it is no longer enough for hackers to spy out passwords.
- Up to 100% of automated attacks can be prevented with 2FA.
- With 2FA, user accounts for which the password has been forgotten can be reactivated.
- Notification when someone else tries to log in to a service. This way, unauthorized access attempts can be detected directly.
- In combination with a strong password, this provides good protection against phishing attacks.
Disadvantages of 2-factor authentication
The disadvantages of two-factor authentication are manageable. Nevertheless, for the sake of completeness, we would like to take a brief look at them.
Disadvantages of two-factor authentication
- The 2FA takes more time, as two factors are required for the login.
- In order to successfully decrypt the second factor, it must also be available. Regardless of whether the second factor is the smartphone, an RSA key or a TAN list: without this second factor, you can no longer log in yourself without further ado.
Activate 2FA in the helloly webmail client
Maximum security in just a few minutes: How to activate two-factor authentication in the helloly Webmail Client to access your emails securely and conveniently from any device.
First, install an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Both apps are available free of charge for Android and iOS in the respective stores.
After the installation, you can start with the setup.
- Open the webmail client on your PC or notebook at webmail.helloly.com
- Log in with your e-mail address and password.
- In the user menu select the function Two-Factor Authentication
- Then click on Set up Two-Factor Authentication
- In the next step, you will see a QR code that you capture with the Authenticator app on your smartphone.
- A one-time code will immediately be displayed on your smartphone.
- Scroll all the way down on your PC or notebook and enter the one-time code.
- You have now successfully set up two-factor authentication.
Deactivate 2FA in the helloly webmail client (without Smartphone)
You can deactivate two-factor authentication in the webmail client again. Even without the second factor smartphone.
If you no longer have access to your smartphone or you want to deactivate two-factor authentication, proceed as follows.
- Log in to the Client Area via my.helloly.com. In the Dashboard you will find your active products. Select the desired product and click Log in to the cPanel.
- Under Email click on Email Accounts.
- Next to the desired email address klick Check Email
- In the user menu select the function Two-Factor Authentication
- Deactivate the 2FA by clicking on Remove Two-Factor Authentication.
Activate 2FA in the Client Area
Protect your web hosting from unauthorized access with Two-Factor Authentication.
Install an authenticator app such as Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator. Both apps are available free of charge for Android and iOS in the respective stores.
- Log in to the Client Area via my.helloly.com.
- In the left menu, click on the Account Details
- Now select Two-Factor Login
- To activate Two-Factor Authentication, click on Click here to Activate
- In the following dialog box, confirm with Start
- Now capture the QR code with your Authenticator App, enter the authentication code and confirm with Submit.
- Finally, you will receive a backup code. You will need this to access the Client Area without your second factor (smartphone).
- Keep your backup code safe and secure! Ideally, you should save it in a password manager such as 1Password.
Deactivate 2FA in the Client Area (without Smartphone)
If you no longer have access to your smartphone, you can deactivate two-factor authentication using the backup code
Install an authenticator app such as Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator. Both apps are available free of charge for Android and iOS in the respective stores.
- Enter your user name and password at my.helloly.com.
- Click on Log in with backup code.
- Now enter your backup code and click on Login.
- You will receive a new backup code, as these are only valid once.
- Keep your backup code safe and secure! Ideally, you should save it in a password manager such as 1Password.
- Click on Continue to the last step to enter the Client Area.
- In the left menu under Account details click on the function Two-Factor Login.
- Click on Click here to deactivate.
- Enter your password and confirm with Enter.
- You have successfully deactivated Two-Factor Authentication.
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