2 Factor Authentication Rules and Settings
Understanding Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
What is 2FA?
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of
security used to ensure that people trying to gain access to an online account
are who they say they are. First, a user will enter their username and a
password. Then, instead of immediately gaining access, they will be required to
provide another piece of information. This second factor will be an OTP sent to
either the email address or mobile number on your WinSMS account.
Why is 2FA Important?
2FA significantly enhances the security of your account by
adding an extra step to the login process. Even if someone manages to obtain
your password, they would still need the second factor to gain access. This
reduces the risk of unauthorized access and helps protect your personal and
financial information.
2FA Rules and Requirements
Two-factor authentication is compulsory for all new
accounts. Here are the rules and requirements:
- Mandatory 2FA for All Accounts: 2FA for Web Clients will be enforced for all new accounts.
- 1-Click Payments and Auto Top-Up: To use 1-Click payments or the Auto Top-up feature, users must manually enable 2FA for Web Clients before using these services if, for some reason, 2FA for Web Clients is not yet enabled.
- Web Applications and Client Zone: Once 2FA for Web Clients is enabled for our web application and the Client Zone, users can no longer manually toggle off 2FA for Web Clients. The option to toggle 2FA is only available for the WinSMS Desktop Client.
- Bypassing 2FA: Users who do not use 1-Click payments or Auto Top-up can request to bypass 2FA for Web Clients. However, you must first disable these features. We will then send you our terms and conditions to the admin email address on your WinSMS account, which you must agree to before we can bypass 2FA for your account.
Manually enabling 2FA to use the 1-Click Payment or Auto
Top-up Feature
This only applies to WinSMS accounts that do not yet have
2FA enabled.
To enable 2FA, follow these steps:
1. To
enable 2FA, please log into the WinSMS Client Zone here and log
in with your WinSMS username and password.
You will receive the following pop-up notification:
Clicking on “Enable 2FA” will automatically enable 2FA for
Web Clients. You won’t be able to toggle 2FA for Web Clients off again. 2FA for
the WinSMS Desktop Client can still be manually toggled on or off.
If you clicked on the “Close” button, 2FA
will not be enabled, and the following will apply:
When enabling 1-Click Payment by following the steps
in this article: https://zasupport.winsms.co.za/portal/en/kb/articles/1-click-payment-system,
you will receive the following pop-up message:
When enabling Auto Top-up for your account following the steps in this article: https://zasupport.winsms.co.za/portal/en/kb/articles/auto-topup-credit-debit-card, you will be presented with the following notification:
In both cases, clicking on the “OK” button will close the notification. You will still need to manually enable 2FA for Web Clients on your account before you can use these features.
2. Follow these steps to
enable 2FA for Web Client Applications manually:
Click on the “My Profile” button.
Click on the button to enable 2FA for Web Clients.
Click the “OK” button.
Click on the “OK” button.
Click on the “OK” button.
Once 2FA for Web Clients is enabled, you must enter an
OTP every time you log into the WinSMS Client Zone and WinSMS.mobi. You won’t
have the option to disable 2FA for Web Clients again.
How to enable 2 Factor Authentication for the WinSMS
Desktop Client
2FA for Desktop Client is disabled by default.
Once you have enabled 2FA for Desktop Client, you
will have to put an OTP in every time to log into the WinSMS Desktop
Application. (Version 3.7 or above).
You will not be able to log into any version of the
WinSMS Desktop Client below version 3.7 if 2FA for Desktop Client is enabled.
To enable 2FA for Desktop, please log into the WinSMS
Client Zone here and
log in with your WinSMS username and password.
Click on the “My Profile” button.
Click on the button to enable 2FA for Desktop Client.
You will need to be running WinSMS Desktop Client version 3.7 or later in order for 2FA to work with the WinSMS Desktop Client.
Click on the "Ok" button on the WinSMS
Desktop Client pop-up warning.
Select which method you would like your OTP sent to you.
Click on the "OK" button.
Click on the "OK" button.
Click on the “OK” button.
Congratulations, you have now set up 2FA for the WinSMS
Desktop Client.
Don't have a WinSMS account yet? Register your free trial
account here.
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