Second Factor Authentication (2FA) is needed to add a layer of security to your login process. When logging into an account, you enter your password and then receive a code via text on your smart device, an email, or mobile app that you need to enter which provides a second layer of authentication. This outlines the steps needed to set up 2FA for your login.
Overview
Protect your account with an extra layer of security for your Descartes’ application account using 2-step verification, where:
Step One: You are prompted to enter your password.
Step Two: You are prompted to enter a code that you received in an authentication app or via email.
This guide outlines the steps involved in setting up 2-step verification for your accounts in Descartes products. If you are a user and have an administrator role in the product, 2-step verification is required and setting it up will be mandated when you attempt to login.
Why Do You Need 2-Step Verification?
Two-step verification makes it difficult for an unauthorized person to access your account. Your password can be compromised without your knowledge. Some common ways a password gets compromised are by using the same password across different sites or clicking links in phishing emails. The 2-step verification can keep hackers from accessing your account even if they have your password.
Tip: When enabling 2-Step verification, make sure you add two forms of identification. If you forget your password or if you lose your phone, you can self-serve to login to your account with a second identification method. This will remove the hassle and time in restoring your account in the event you forget your password or lose your phone.
How Does 2-Step Verification Work?
Let’s assume you enabled the 2-step verification.
When you attempt to log in to your account, two things will happen:
You are prompted to enter your password (first verification).
You are prompted to enter a one-time Password (second verification). You will receive a one-time password via one of the identification methods you have setup.
After you complete your work, you log out of the application.
When you log back into the application with your account on the next day, you will be prompted to enter your password (first verification) but you will not be prompted to enter a one-time password (second verification) because the Descartes application will prompt for second verification only when it encounters a new browser/device or when the last validation was more than a week ago.
What Do You Need?
Here are the prerequisites you need to setup two-factor authentication for your account. You need:
Your cell phone
Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator on your cell phone
Camera app on your mobile phone
An email address (not associated with your Descartes application)
Username and password to the Descartes application
Get Ready
We recommend setting up two different methods for second factor authentication:
Authenticator app
Alternate email
You can set up an authentication app on your mobile device and use an alternate email address as a second method. For authentication via an authentication app, using one of the following two apps is recommended:
Below are the prerequisite instructions for your Apple iPhone or Android device and email authentication setup.
Using iOS Devices
Google Authenticator App Download and Install Instructions
If you want to use the Google Authenticator as your second step verification method, please follow these steps to download, install and prepare the Google Authenticator app.
Access the Appstore on your iPhone.
Tap Search in the Appstore.
Search for “Google Authenticator”, and then download/install the authentic Google Authenticator app from the search results.
Once you install the Google Authenticator app, Google Authenticator will be available.
Access Settings on your iPhone.
Search for “Camera” in the iPhone settings, and access the Camera app.
In the list, look for the Authenticator app, and give permission by toggling the button next to it.
The above steps complete the preliminary requirements for using the Google Authenticator app as your second-step verification. Proceed to Get Started.
Microsoft Authenticator App Download and Install Instructions
You can skip this section if you have already installed the Google Authenticator. If you want to use Microsoft Authenticator as your second step verification method, please follow these steps to download, install and prepare the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Access the Appstore on your iPhone.
Tap Search in the Appstore.
Search for “Microsoft Authenticator”, and then download/install an authentic Microsoft Authenticator app from the search results.
Once you install the Microsoft Authenticator app, it is available.
Access the settings of your iPhone by opening Settings.
Search for “Camera” in the settings, and then access the Camera app.
In the list, look for the “Authenticator” app. Allow access to the Authenticator by toggling the button next to it.
The above steps complete the preliminary requirements for using the Microsoft Authenticator app as your second step of verification. Proceed to Get Started.
Using Android Devices
Google Authenticator App Download and Install Instructions
To use Google Authenticator as your second step verification method, please perform these steps to download, install, and prepare the Google Authenticator app:
Access the Playstore on your Android device.
Access the Search in the Playstore.
Search for “Google Authenticator”, and then tap the authentic Google Authenticator app from the search results.
Tap Install to install the app.
Once you install the Google Authenticator app, Google Authenticator will be available in your list of apps.
Access Settings on your Android device.
Scroll down and then tap Privacy.
Tap Permission manager.
Tap Camera.
Tap Authenticator.
You can now choose to allow camera permission for the app every time you use the app (tap Allow only while using the app) or opt for being asked to allow permission each time you use the app (tap Ask every time).
The above steps complete the preliminary requirements for using the Google Authenticator app as your second-step verification. Proceed to Get Started.
Microsoft Authenticator App Download and Install Instructions
You can skip this section if you have already installed the Google Authenticator. If you want to use the Microsoft Authenticator as your second step verification method, please follow the steps below to download, install and prepare the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Access the Playstore on your Android phone.
Access the Search in the Playstore.
Search for “Microsoft Authenticator“, and then tap Microsoft Authenticator in the search results.
Tap Install to install the app.
Once the Microsoft Authenticator app is installed, it will be available in your list of apps.
Access Settings on your Android device.
Scroll down, and then tap Privacy.
Tap Permission Manager.
Tap Camera.
Tap Authenticator.
You can now choose to allow camera permission for the app every time you use it (tap Allow only while using the app) or opt for being asked to allow permission each time you use the app (tap Ask every time).
The above steps complete the preliminary requirements for using Microsoft Authenticator app as your second-step verification. Proceed to Get Started.
Get Started
Accessing Second Factor Setup
To protect your account with the second verification method for your login account:
Login to your application with your username and then click Next.
Enter your password in the login screen, and then click Sign in.
Open the profile menu by clicking the profile icon (top right portion of screen).
Click My Account.
Go to Security.
Scroll to Second Factor Authentication.
Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication with Microsoft/Google Authentication
Follow the steps in Accessing Second Factor Setup to navigate to the Password and Security screen, if you have skipped the instructions in that section.
Click Set-up Two-Factor Authentication.
Before proceeding with the next step, confirm that Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator is installed on your cell phone. If an authenticator has not been installed, please follow the steps outlined in Using iOS Devices or Using Android Devices.
Select Microsoft or Google Authenticator from the methods listed, and then click Make Changes.
You will be prompted with the Setup Secondary Authentication.
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Open the Authenticator app on your phone.
For Google Authenticator, tap Scan a QR Code (as in this example)
For Microsoft Authenticator, tap the + > Work or school account.
Use your phone to scan the QR square that is on your computer screen.
Note: iPhone users may have to enable the camera in Settings in order to scan.Your account will appear in your authentication app.
Enter the six-digit code you see on your phone, in the box on your computer. Click Continue.
Once you enter the code correctly, the next screen is displayed. Click Continue to return to your account settings.
Once brought back to the account settings, you will notice a checkmark next to Authenticator App. Your authentication was successfully set up!
The above steps complete setting up two-step verification with the authenticator app as one of your second verification methods.
Setting-Up Two Factor Authentication with Email
Follow the steps for Accessing Two-factor Setup to navigate to the Password and Security screen if you have skipped the instructions in that section.
On the Password and Security screen, scroll to the section Second Factor Authentication. At the right of the section, you will notice the Click the Manage Two-Factor Authentication link at the right of the section.
Choose the third option, Secondary Email Address, and then click Make Changes.
Enter your secondary email address and then click Make Changes.
Warning: Please provide an email address that is not your username.You will be prompted to enter a six-digit code. Switch to the inbox of your alternate email address.
Switch to your email inbox. Look for a new email with the subject “Account Verification”. Take note of the 6-digit code in the email.
Switch back to the Descartes authentication screen. Enter the six-digit code you captured from the Account verification email, and then click Continue.
If the two-factor authentication setup is successful, you will see the screen with the verification set up complete message. Click Continue to acknowledge. Go back to the Password and Security screen.
When you click Continue on the verification set up complete message, you will be taken to the Password and Security screen. You will note that a checkmark icon was added before Alternate Email. An Alternate Email was successfully set up as a second method of authentication for your account.
Congratulations! You have successfully set up the two-step verification with email as one of your verification methods.
Verify Your Setup
Verifying Second Factor Authentication Methods are Activated
Follow the steps for Accessing Second Factor Setup to navigate to the Password and Security screen, if you skipped the instructions in that section.
On the Password and Security screen, scroll to the Second Factor Authentication section. At the left of the section is a Method(s) Set Up subheading.
Under Method(s) setup, verify that the two methods, Authenticator App and Alternate Email checkboxes, are enabled. If you see a checkmark, the two-factor authentication method is setup for your account. If you see an X next to a method, the two-factor method is not setup. If you see an X next to either the Authenticator App or Altenerate Email methods, please go to Accessing Second Factor Setup and follow the instructions.
Setting Up Your Preference
Follow the steps below to choose your preferred method of second factor verification. You can choose Authenticator App or Alternate Email as your preferred second verification method.
If you are not on the Password and Security screen of your account, please follow the steps in Accessing Second Factor Setup.
On the Password and Security screen, scroll to the section Second Factor Authentication. Look for Default Method dropdown and verify if the default method is Authenticator App. If the default method displayes SMS Message or Alternate Email, change it back to Authenticator App. Once you change your default method to Authenticator App, click the save
icon () located next to the dropdown to save changes.The above steps complete the setup of the default authentication method.
You can log out of your account now by selecting the profile icon and select Sign out.
Support
If you have any questions, please contact servicedesk@descartes.com.