This article outlines how to use the Equinox Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) login functionality.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What's 2FA?

2FA improves security as it requires you to verify your identity by entering an authentication code before you can access your Equinox account.

There are two ways of using 2FA with Equinox:

  • By email

  • By app

Configure 2FA by email

2FA is configured on a user by user basis, following the steps below:

  1. Go to the System tab > User Preferences

  2. Click on 'Security'

  3. Select a 2FA method
    > Email 
    > App
    > Disabled

  4. Enter the email address to receive the authentication code 
    This doesn't have to be the email address used to login to your Equinox account. Please double check the email number before clicking update to ensure the information is correct.

  5. Click 'Update' to save

Log in using 2FA by email

Once 2FA is enabled, users would log in by following the process below:

  1. Enter their password and email address on the Equinox login page

  2. Receive the authentication code by email

  3. Enter the code on the Equinox authentication page

  4. Click 'Authorise' to complete the login

Configure 2FA by app

To configure 2FA by app in Equinox:

  1. Go to System > User Preferences

  2. Click on Security

  3. This opens the Security Options screen

  4. Select 'By Authenticator App' from the Two Factor Authentication dropdown menu

  5. Click the Set up authenticator app button

  6. This opens a One Time Password Authentication screen. There are two ways you can configure your account from this point:

    • Scan the QR code on screen 
      Or

    • Click the Use Setup key instead of QR code

If you can scan the QR code on screen:

  1. Open the authenticator app you use and add your Equinox account to the app by scanning the QR code in the Application Settings box

  2. Enter the activation code on your authenticator app in the Enter activation code box

  3. Click the Confirm button

If you can't scan the QR code on screen: 

  1. Click the Use Setup key instead of QR code button

  2. Open the authenticator app you use and add your Equinox account to the app by copying and pasting in the set-up key Equinox has generated for you

  3. Enter the activation code on your authenticator app in the Enter activation code box

  4. Click the Confirm button


Add a backup email address

Once you've enabled 2FA by app you can set up a backup email address which you can also use to receive an authentication code, if you are unable to authenticate via app.

To set up a backup email address:

  1. On the Security Options screen click the Configure authenticator app button

  2. This takes you to the One time password authentication screen

  3. The Application Settings box will say 'Your Authenticator app is setup and active.'

  4. In the Backup Settings box you can enter a backup email in the Backup email field

  5. Click Add backup email to save this backup email to Equinox 

  6. Next time you log into Equinox you'll be given the option to receive your code via app or via the backup email address