By requiring two forms of verification, 2factor authentication in Linode improves the security of the Linode account. Bobcares, as a part of our Linode Managed Services, offers solutions to every Linode query that comes our way.

What Is 2Factor Authentication In Linode?

The 2 Factor Authentication process requires two forms of authentication, ie, a password and an expiring token, also called an OTP (one-time passcode) or 2FA code, before any login process. This additional security measure lowers the possibility that someone unauthorized could access our Linode account. So we strongly advise using 2FA with the Linode accounts.

We can either choose an existing password manager or use an external authenticator app. Some of the external authenticator apps include Authy, Duo Mobile, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator. Let’s look into the steps to enable 2factor authentication on Linode.

Steps To Enable 2Factor Authentication In Linode

1. Open the Linode Cloud Manager and log in.
2. Clicking on the username in the top right corner of the screen will take us to the Login & Authentication page of the profile. From the dropdown menu, choose Login & Authentication.
3. Select Linode as the login provider in the Login Method section.
4. Set all 3 security questions under Security Settings. If not, adhere to the Security Questions guide’s instructions.
5. Click the toggle switch to turn on 2FA in the section titled “Two-Factor Authentication.” Now we can see a QR code, a secret key, and a space to enter the 2FA token.
6. On the desktop or smartphone, launch the app for the 2FA provider. Visit Choosing a 2FA Provider for guidance on provider selection.
7. Set up the application to generate OTP tokens automatically for usage with Linode’s 2FA functionality. Depending on the app we’re using, the procedure changes. We may add an account to the vast majority of specialized authenticator apps. To add a one-time passcode (1Password), two-factor code (Keeper), or the equivalent field within the app, modify or add a Linode login entry for password managers. then either manually enters the secret key or scan the 2FA QR code on the Cloud Manager (also called a setup key or code). We may scan the QR code on mobile devices using the camera on the phone. Instead, desktop programs often have their own unique screen capture tool that they can use to scan the QR. If we require more assistance, we can contact the 2FA provider.
8. After 2FA is set in the 2FA provider, it creates a time-sensitive OTP. This token refreshes every 30 seconds. Copy this token, paste it into the Token area in the Cloud Manager, and then click Confirm Token.
9. A scratch code shows after the successful confirmation of the token. This code should be saved somewhere safe, like a password manager. This scratch code can be used once in place of the OTP token on the account if the authenticator app is ever lost or stolen.

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Conclusion

To conclude, we’ve provided the definition of 2factor authentication along with the steps to enable 2factor authentication on Linode.