Enable 2-Step Authentication

2-Step Authentication adds an extra layer of protection to your email account. It ensures that only YOU can access your account, even if someone knows your password.

How it works #

When your account is protected with 2-Step Authentication, logging in to your webmail requires two methods of authentication: your email account password and a verification code that’s only available to you.

2-Step Authentication also ensures hackers can’t access your account via third-party applications. In order to configure your email account in third-party applications (including email clients like Outlook, eM Client, Apple Mail, etc.), you must use a unique “Application Password” that is only accessible by logging into your webmail account.

Configuring 2-Step Authentication #

You can configure 2-Step Authentication from within your webmail account settings (under SETTINGS > ACCOUNT > 2-STEP AUTHENTICATION > [ENABLE]).

The first step in configuring 2-Step Authentication is choosing your preferred verification method: Authenticator App or Recovery Email Address.

Retrieve Code via Recovery Email Address #

Each time you log in, the verification code will be sent to an alternative email address.

  1. Select Recovery Email Address from the Verification Methods dropdown.

  2. Enter and confirm the Recovery Email Address that will be used to retrieve the verification code. (This email address will automatically be used as the Recovery Email Address used for resetting your account password as well.)
  3. Click [NEXT].
  4. Wait a moment for the verification code to be emailed. Then enter the 6-digit verification code.

  5. Click Check to confirm the verification code and complete the 2-Step Authentication setup.

Receive Verification Code via SMS or MMS message on your cellphone #

Alternately you can receive a verification code via SMS or MMS message on your cellphone. On Step 2 above enter your 10 digit phone number with the SMS or MMS gateway address for your cellular provider from the chart below.

Carrier SMS Address MMS Address
Alltel Wireless 10digitnumber@text.wireless.alltel.com 10digitnumber@mms.alltel.net
AT&T Wireless 10digitnumber@txt.att.net 10digitnumber@mms.att.net
Boost Mobile 10digitnumber@sms.myboostmobile.com 10digitnumber@myboostmobile.com
Cingular (AT&T MOBILITY) 10digitnumber@cingularme.com 10digitnumber@mobile.mycingular.com
Cricket Wireless 10digitnumber@mms.cricketwireless.net 10digitnumber@mms.cricketwireless.net
Google Project Fi 10digitnumber@msg.fi.google.com 10digitnumber@msg.fi.google.com
Metro PCS 10digitnumber@mymetropcs.com
Republic Wireless 10digitnumber@text.republicwireless.com
Spectrum 10digitnumber@vtext.com 10digitnumber@mypixmessages.com
Sprint (Nextel) 10digitnumber@page.nextel.com 10digitnumber@messaging.nextel.com
Sprint (PCS) 10digitnumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com 10digitnumber@pm.sprint.com
Straight Talk 10digitnumber@vtext.com 10digitnumber@mypixmessages.com
Ting 10digitnumber@message.ting.com
T-Mobile 10digitnumber@tmomail.net 10digitnumber@tmomail.net
Tracfone 10digitnumber@mmst5.tracfone.com
U.S. Cellular 10digitnumber@email.uscc.net 10digitnumber@mms.uscc.net
Verizon 10digitnumber@vtext.com 10digitnumber@vzwpix.com
Virgin Mobile 10digitnumber@vmobl.com 10digitnumber@vmpix.com

 

Retrieve Code via Authenticator App #

Each time you log in, you’ll retrieve the verification code from an authenticator app.

  1. Install an authenticator app, such as Google or Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or LastPass on your phone or computer.
  2. Select Authenticator App from the Verification Methods dropdown.

  3. Enter and confirm a Recovery Email Address that will be used as an alternative method to retrieve the verification code. If your authenticator app is not accessible, the verification code will be sent to this address instead. (This email address will automatically be used as the Recovery Email Address used for resetting your account password as well.)
  4. Click Next. A QR code will appear on the next page.

  5. Open the Google Authenticator app. Click “BEGIN SETUP” or use the plus (+) icon to add a new token.
  6. Select Scan QR Code and use your phone’s camera to scan the code that’s displayed in your webmail. A new token will be added to Google Authenticator.
  7. Enter the token’s 6-digit code into the field in your webmail.
  8. (If you can’t scan the QR code, click on “Can’t scan the QR code?” in your webmail. In the Authenticator app, choose to create a new token by Manual entry. In the Account field, enter a token descriptor, such as the username of your account. In the Key field, type in the secret key that’s displayed in the webmail. Then enter the token’s 6-digit code into your webmail.)
  9. Click Check to confirm the verification code and complete the 2-Step Authentication setup.

Finding Your Application Password For Email Clients and Mobile Devices #

Once 2-Step Authentication is enabled on your email account then any email clients (such as Microsoft Outlook, Windows Mail, MacOS Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, eM Client, etc.) and Mobile Devices (such as Apple iPhone/iPad or Android) that are setup for IMAP/POP/SMTP will need to configure them to use the Application Password to connect to your account instead of your regular password. To find your Application Password follow the steps below.

  1. In your webmail go to SETTINGS > ACCOUNT > 2-STEP AUTHENTICATION (you should already be there if you just followed the steps above)
  2. Click the Eye icon next to IMAP/POP/SMTP (Most email clients)

  3. You can copy & paste the code into the password field for your email account in your email client’s settings (please note that for MacOS & Apple devices you will have to enter this Application Password for both the Incoming Server password and the Outgoing Server password).