AWS Amazon Cloud New UI Login How to Set Up Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) to Improve Account Security

How to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

In the new AWS console UI, you can improve account security by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA requires users to provide additional authentication factors when signing in, such as a virtual MFA device (such as Google Authenticator), a hardware security key, or a text message verification code. After enabling MFA, even if an attacker obtains your password, they cannot directly access your AWS account, which effectively improves security.

Google Authenticator is a two-factor authentication (2FA) application developed by Google and widely used to enhance the security of online accounts. Based on TOTP (time-based one-time password) and HOTP (hash-based information verification code) technologies, the application can generate dynamic verification codes when users log in to services that support 2FA, and can be used without an Internet connection. Users can bind their accounts to the application by simply scanning a QR code or manually entering a key. Compared with traditional SMS verification codes, Google Authenticator provides a safer and more convenient authentication method, effectively preventing account theft.

Setting up multi-factor authentication with Google Authenticator

If you don't have a free AWS account, you can sign up for it at the following link:

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In the new UI login, you can log in using your account ID or using the root user email.

The following uses the root user email login as an example to set up multi-factor authentication.

When logging into AWS, a multi-factor authentication (MFA) page will appear. If this is your first time logging in, you can choose to skip it temporarily and log in directly to the AWS console.

At the same time, for the security of your account, perform multiple identity authentication as soon as possible.

Both passkeys or security keys and hardware TOTP tokens require a USB flash drive or additional equipment for verification, which is not suitable for novice users.

Use an authenticator app for fast and effective multi-factor authentication.

Authenticator app settings

Select Authenticator App and click Next to proceed with Authenticator App setup.

Let’s take Google Authenticator as an example:

In the second step, click Show QR code.

Then use your mobile phone to scan the QR code and enter two verification codes to complete the MFA registration.

Click Continue to enter the console and you can operate AWS.

Every time you log in to AWS from now on, you only need to enter the verification code in Google Authenticator to complete multi-factor authentication and protect your account security. Isn’t it simple!

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is the world's leading cloud computing platform, provided by Amazon, and provides a variety of cloud services including computing, storage, database, artificial intelligence, big data analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), etc. AWS is widely used in enterprises, start-ups and developers with its high availability, elastic expansion and pay-as-you-go model, supporting deployment from simple web applications to complex enterprise-level solutions. Its main services include EC2 (cloud server), S3 (cloud storage), RDS (managed database) and Lambda (serverless computing).

If you don't have a free AWS account, you can sign up for it at the following link:

Click to visit Amazon Web Services official website to register

Register an AWS account on the Amazon Web Services website to enjoy free Amazon Cloud services.

Please refer to the following registration tutorial:

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