Revision as of 19:26, 27 July 2019

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security by introducing a second step to your login. It takes something you know (i.e.: your password), and adds a second factor, typically something you physically have (such as your phone). Since both are required to log in, in the event an attacker obtains your password, two-factor authentication would stop them from accessing your account.

Why do you need it?

Passwords are increasingly easy to compromise for any number of reasons. For example, they can often be guessed or leaked, they usually don’t change very often, and despite advice otherwise, many of us have favorite passwords that we use for more than one thing. With Two-factor authentication, it gives you additional security because your password alone no longer allows access to your account.

How does it work?

There are many different options available, and we support 3 of them so you have the choice. Here's a brief overview of the different types:

DuoSecurity

With DuoSecurity, you will be prompted for a phone number and option to receive a text or phone call. After the text or phone call is received, input the authentication code to proceed.

A second optional page at initial login will prompt to download the DuoSecurity mobile application. This application is used to perform push notifications, allowing you to restrict or allow access under your user from your phone.

• Detailed configuration instructions are located at http://docs.whmcs.com/Duo_Security

Time Based One-Time Passwords

Time Based One-Time passwords requires downloading an OAUTH application onto your smartphone or tablet, and optionally a bar-code reader.

Once activated, a pop-up screen will present a QR code, with optional manual code to enter into your smartphone or tablet. Once scanned or entered, a time based one time password will appear within your OATH application providing the second form of verification used to log in.

Additionally, a backup code is presented which should be stored in the event that your smartphone or tablet is not accessible and you wish to gain access into WHMCS.

YubiKey

YubiKey creates a one time password stored within a USB drive that acts as a keyboard to your computer. These are physical devices that need to be purchased from Yubico directly. A purchase link is available inside WHMCS.

• For more information on different types of two-factor authentication WHMCS supports, please refer to http://www.whmcs.com/two-factor/

Configuration

Yubico Configuration

Begin by navigating to Setup > Staff Management > Two-Factor Authentication and click the "Activate" button next to the type of two-factor authentication you wish to use.

Once activated, you will be presented with a number of settings specific to that provider. Please fill these in with the account details from your welcome email or control panel. Some options are common to all auth methods:

Enable for Clients

Enable for Clients

Ticking this option will allow clients to individually enable Two-Factor Authentication of their own accord via the client area. Once activated, they will need to complete two-factor authentication each time they login.

Clients activate it via the My Details page of the client area. In the default template this is located under the "Security Settings" tab. They simply click the Click here to enable button beneath the "Two-Factor Authentication" heading and follow the on-screen instructions.

Should a client decide to disable two-factor authentication at a later date, they can simply click the Click here to disable button which will appear in the same location.

Enable for Staff

Enable for Staff

Ticking this option will allow staff to individually enable Two-Factor Authentication of their own accord via the admin area. Once activated, they will need to complete two-factor authentication each time they login.

Staff activate it via the My Account page of the admin area (link in the top-left corner of every page). They simply click the Click here to enable button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Should a member of staff decide to disable two-factor authentication at a later date, they can simply click the Click here to disable button which will appear in the same location.

Force Settings

On the left hand side of the Two-Factor Authentication page are two Force Settings. Ticking these options will require clients and/or staff to configure two-factor authentication upon next login. Upon their next login, they will be presented with a prompt showing them the two-factor authentication instructions and will not be able to proceed until registration is complete.

Licensing

If you have recently purchased Two Factor and your WHMCS system is not yet reflecting your purchase, you may find you need to force a license update which you can do by navigating to Help > Check for Updates and then you can try activating and using the Two Factor module again.

Common Errors

The code you entered did not match what was expected. Please try again

Seeing this error when using the time based tokens method means that the 6 characters generated by your device do not match the 6 numbers WHMCS expected. This is caused by the time on your device (phone, tablet etc) and the server where WHMCS is installed being different.

You can see the time in the top-right corner of your WHMCS admin area. It's taken directly from your server's PHP configuration. You must ensure the server time is correct, and the time on your device matches the server time. For example: if the server time is 00:01 and the time on your device is 00:00, you will see this error. In that scenario, you must change the time on your device to 00:01 so that they both match.

Syncing the server with NTP to ensure the time is exactly right may also help to resolve this. Most servers will revert to the internal hardware clock on reboot/power on, so you will need to sync any changes from NTP to the hardware clock as well.

Different time-zones are taken into account, so time-zone differences won't cause a problem.

The second factor you supplied was incorrect. Please try again

Seeing this error when activating the DuoSecurity method for the first time means that the code being entered does not match that which DuoSecurity expects. This is caused by the time on your server not matching DuoSecurity's clocks.

You can see the time in the top-right corner of your WHMCS admin area. It's taken directly from your server's PHP configuration. So you must ensure the server time is synced exactly with UTC. For example: if the server time is 00:01 and the time at DuoSecurity is 00:00, you will see this error.

Syncing the server with NTP to ensure the time is exactly right will resolve this. Most servers will revert to the internal hardware clock on reboot/power on, so you will need to sync any changes from NTP to the hardware clock as well.

Different time-zones are taken into account, so time-zone differences won't cause a problem.