Help:Two-factor authentication: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:59, 16 November 2016

Revision as of 17:02, 16 November 2016

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== Why on earth do I need this? ==

{{main article|Help:Two-factor_authentication#Accounts_affected}}

It is important for Administrators to keep their account secure. In November 2016, a number of Wikipedia administrators (including the founder, {{u|Jimbo Wales}}) had their accounts compromised which were used to vandalise the encyclopedia. As well as causing widespread disruption, the affected administrators' accounts were locked so they couldn't do anything until it was beyond doubt they had regained control.

On the English Wikipedia, the following groups can use 2FA:

* [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|Bureacrats]]

* [[Wikipedia:Administrators|Administrators]]

* [[Wikipedia:Checkuser|Checkusers]]

* [[Wikipedia:Oversight|Oversighters]]

* [[Wikipedia:Edit Filter|Edit Filter Managers]]

* Interface Editors

You'll already know if you're in one of these groups, as you'll have asked for access. If you don't recognise any of these terms, you probably can't use 2FA.

It is '''really important''' for Administratorsusers with advanced rights to keep their account secure. In November 2016, a number of Wikipedia administrators (including the founder, {{u|Jimbo Wales}}) had their accounts compromised which were used to vandalise the encyclopedia. As well as causing widespread disruption, the affected administrators' accounts were locked so they couldn't do anything until it was beyond doubt they had regained control.

== How to enable [[WP:2FA|2FA]], the simple way (smartphone)==

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When you set up 2FA, you'll be given a number of emergency tokens. You can re-use one of these if you can't use your smartphone (eg: if it gets broken, stolen or sold). ''You only get shown these tokens when you sign up and never again'', so make a copy of them by selecting them from your browser and copy / pasting into Notepad. If you don't keep these tokens and have a problem getting the additional authentication code, you '''will be locked out of your account''' unless you have access!

* You still need to follow [[Wikipedia:SECURITY|good security practices]]. Don't use your name, date of birth or anything obvious as a password that can be guessed in a simple [[dictionary attack]], don't write your password down in a place anyone else can see it, and consider whether or not it's a good idea to log into public terminals including schools, libraries and airports.

== Who can use 2FA? ==

{{main article|Help:Two-factor_authentication#Accounts_affected}}

On the English Wikipedia the following groups can use 2FA:

* [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|Bureacrats]]

* [[Wikipedia:Administrators|Administrators]]

* [[Wikipedia:Checkuser|Checkusers]]

* [[Wikipedia:Oversight|Oversighters]]

* [[Wikipedia:Edit Filter|Edit Filter Managers]]

* Interface Editors

== More help? ==