Skip to main content

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

Dana Anderson
  • Updated

This article will show you how to set up two-factor authentication for your native user accounts in Cerberus FTP Server. As a user, you may also be forced by your site administrators to set up two factor authentication right from the Web Client log in page.

 

 

Step one:

Download the authenticator app of your choice. We recommend either Google Authenticator, Authy, or the OTP Auth phone apps.

Google_Authenticator.png

or

Authy_Authenticator.png

Download links:

Microsoft phone users, please see here.

Step Two:

  1. Login to your Cerberus web client account and go to the Accounts page.  
  2. Press the Enable Two Factor button.
  3. A prompt will appear to inform you about what enabling two-factor authentication means and to ask you if you wish to continue.  Press the Enable button.
  4. A QR code will appear that you can use to enable two-factor authentication in a supported HOTP-compliant app.

QR_Code_For_2_Factor.png

The QR code and test screen in Cerberus FTP Server for enabling two-factor authentication

 

Using your authenticator app, scan the QR code from the account page.

OR

Enter the key code from the Cerberus account page into your authenticator app.

 

 

Step Three:

Your authenticator app should now display a six-digit one-time code. Enter your code in the text box and press the Verify button to verify your setup and activate two-factor authentication.

                  QR_Code_For_2_Factor_Success.png

Note: If you leave the accounts page without verifying your setup then two-factor authentication will remain disabled

Two-factor authentication is now enabled!

From now on, when you sign into the Web Client it will ask you for your 6-digit authentication code.

Simply open your authenticator app to find the code.

Cerberus_Two_Factor_PIN.png

 

Common Issues

The most common reason for the two-factor authentication not working correctly is that the clock on your phone is inaccurate. Ensure that your phone clock is synced to your computer.

Cerberus is calibrated to allow some leniency with authentication codes, but a good rule of thumb could be to attempt to enter a new code as soon as it becomes available on your device. If this doesn’t work, waiting until the end of the code’s validity period is also sometimes helpful.

 

DUO Two Factor Support

Cerberus Enterprise can also support for DUO Security for 2-factor authentication. See here for the steps to configure with Cerberus. 

Related articles

Comments

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.