Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to log in to MiLACNIC

What is the two-factor authentication provided by MiLACNIC?

Two-factor authentication adds a new layer of security to the login process. This user-friendly tool uses accessible technology to protect the registry functions and the operation of MiLACNIC.

Below you will find instructions for: 

(1) Configuring 2FA in MiLACNIC: Consider that of the 3 methods you must choose at least one of the methods to activate 2FA

(2) Configuring a new authenticator or removing an existing authenticator

(3) Single-use codes

1) Configuring 2FA in MiLACNIC 

To configure this service, select the [2FA] option on the upper right corner of your MiLACNIC screen.

Next, select your preferred option, either using authenticator software or receiving an SMS on your cell phone. If you use authenticator software, before beginning the procedure on MiLACNIC, you must download a two-factor authenticator (available for both Android and IOS).

Below we will show you how to configure 2FA using both methods and how to verify the configuration.

1.1) Configuring 2FA using authenticator software (QR-TOTP)

• Use your device to scan the QR code that appears on MiLACNIC or manually enter the alphanumeric code to the right.
• Enter the code generated by your authenticator app.
• 2FA (two-factor authentication) is now enabled.

This will link your MiLACNIC user to the selected device and your preferred authenticator software. You can then add new devices by scanning the QR code once again with another device, entering the code generated by the authenticator software, and selecting the green [Add new authenticator device] button.

1.2) Configuring 2FA with your mobile phone (SMS)

• Enter the telephone number that will be linked to the account.
• Enter the code you receive via SMS in the MiLACNIC platform.
• Once you enter this code, 2FA (two-factor authentication) via SMS will be enabled.

1.3) Verifying 2FA

Once the 2FA configuration is complete, in the [2FA] section you will see all available methods and those that are already enabled (see right-hand side of the screen).

2) Single-use codes

Single-use codes are used for the same purpose as the codes provided via SMS or by the authenticator software: they allow us to log in to our MiLACNIC user account. These codes can be useful if we lose access to the 2FA methods we have configured for our account. 

We recommend downloading and saving the file with the available codes in a secure location.

To view these codes, go to the 2FA section of your profile (access from your profile or by clicking the padlock icon in the upper right corner of the screen as shown in the image below):

There, select [Manage security codes that can be used if you lose access to the other two-factor authentication methods]:

This option will display a list of single-use codes you can use to access your account in situations such as the one mentioned above.

Because these codes may only be used once, after using one you must regenerate the code so you will have a complete set of codes once again. To do so, select the [Regenerate code] option.

• Downloading single-use codes

MiLACNIC allows us to download all single-use codes in .TXT format so we can store them safely outside the platform as a backup.

To download these codes, go to the bottom of the code list and select [Download single-use security codes]. Note that this option will only be enabled once we have configured 2FA in our account.

• What to do if you lose your device or authentication mechanisms?

If you have not saved these security codes, you must email [e-mail] so that an analyst can help you with your request.

3) Configuring a new authenticator or removing an existing authenticator

Once 2FA is enabled, MiLACNIC will allow you to add or remove authentication mechanisms. To do this, go to the two-factor authentication panel, where you will see which methods are enabled (green) and which methods can still be added (yellow).

• To configure one of the methods that are not enabled, select it and follow the steps detailed above under (1) Configuring 2FA in MiLACNIC.
• To remove one of the methods that are already enabled, select the one you wish to remove in the panel as shown below.

2.1) Removing authenticator software (QR-TOTP) 

First, select the (QR-TOTP) option to display the following menu:

Then select [Delete previously linked devices] followed by [Confirm]. This will automatically disable the (QR-TOTP) mechanism for your 2FA.

2.2) Removing 2FA via SMS

First, select [Configuring two-factor authentication using single-use codes sent via SMS] to display the following menu:

To delete the current telephone number, simply select the red [Delete] button, then click the green button to confirm.

Once 2FA is enabled, when you sign in to MiLACNIC you will see the following menu. You can avoid this by selecting the [Confiar en este dispositivo] option that appears when we repeatedly log in from the same device.