If you're like most property managers, you're not using two-factor authentication on your property management system. Maybe because you don’t know about it or your system doesn’t offer it… which means you're at risk of being hacked. So let’s get you protected.
First off, what is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure that requires users to provide something other than just their username and password when logging in. This second factor can be anything from a code sent to their mobile phone, to a one-time code sent to their email, or a freshly-generated unique number displayed on an app on their screen.
As the name suggests, 2FA requires users to enter two pieces of information in order to access their account. That’s something they know (like their username and password - that’s the first factor) and something they have (like a phone or an authenticator app - which provides the second factor).
How 2FA protects you
The most secure 2FA systems send you what’s called a “time-based one-time password”. You enter it into the 2FA app, and it will log you into the site. If somebody else tries to login without the one-time password, they won't get in.
So what’s the “time-based” feature? The password (which is often a 6-digit number) will expire after 30 or 60 seconds, and it will be replaced by a new time-sensitive number every 30 or 60 seconds.
With 2FA enabled on your system, it is protected because hackers would not only need a username and password, they’d also need the required second piece of information in order to gain access to your back office. Even if your computer gets hacked, 2FA will block the hackers ability to access your property management system.
Resly provides 2FA as a standard security feature. We encourage every user to activate 2FA by going into their user settings and clicking on ‘add two-factor authentication’. Follow the screen prompts, enter your mobile number and within a couple of minutes you will have it set up.
Once enabled, the next time you log in Resly will send you a one-time code. You just need to enter the one-time code into the log in screen when prompted.
In conclusion, to make your account more secure, adding two-factor authentication is an easy way to start. By requiring two pieces of information instead of just one, you are making it harder for someone to gain access to your back office without having permission from you first. It's like putting a security guard at your front entrance to check that every visitor is authorised to enter.
If you require assistance setting up 2FA our friendly support team are just a phone call away.
