How to Enable Zoom Two-factor Authentication and Improve Security

Every day we use many accounts of various types to work, meet or interact with others. Cybercriminals are on the lookout for vulnerabilities in systems to get our passwords. However, companies and organizations are looking for solutions to make it as difficult as possible. Now it is the turn of the popular program to make meetings and video calls, today we are going to explain how to improve the security of Zoom by configuring this two-factor authentication.

Benefits of enabling Zoom two-factor authentication

Zoom’s two-factor authentication will make it easier for administrators and organizations to protect their users, preventing security breaches, or at least making it significantly more difficult for cybercriminals. Thanks to two-factor authentication (2FA), we can make the process of identifying users online, they can be required to present two or more proofs that prove ownership of the account.

Enable Zoom Two-factor Authentication

In this way, we get enhanced security in which organizations can reduce the risk of identity theft and security breaches. This additional layer of security prevents cybercriminals from accessing accounts, guessing passwords or gaining access to employee or student computers. It also helps organizations and businesses meet their obligations to keep confidential data and customer information safe.

In addition, they offer us reduced costs since it can be expensive for small companies and schools to pay for an SSO service. However, if Zoom is chosen, it provides users with a safe and efficient environment. To finish with this section, it provides us with a simpler credential management , which prevents users from continually managing passwords.

How 2FA works in Zoom

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a two-step sign-in process:

  1. Main login to Zoom account, username and password.
  2. It requires a code that can only be used once, and the next time we go in it will be different.

This provides an extra layer of security, as users will need access to their phone to log into the Zoom web portal, the desktop client, and the mobile application. Here is an outline of how Zoom works by activating two-factor authentication:

autenticación en dos factores de Zoom

First, we would enter our Zoom account by entering the email and password . The second step would be to take our smartphone, and enter that one-time verification code . In this sense, it should be noted that we have two options to receive the code (through TOTP applications or through SMS). The third and last step would be to enter the Zoom meeting, once we have correctly entered our account and entered the code that they sent us.

As for Zoom, it sends a six-digit one-time verification code via SMS, however, if we have an Android or iOS smartphone with applications that support the time-based single password protocol (TOTP) we have more options. In that sense we have three highly recommended apps:

One is Google Authenticator that you can download from here:

The other is Microsoft Authenticator that we can download for Windows or for mobile devices.

Finally, we have FreeOTP and also Latch, which are two highly recommended applications:

How to enable two-factor authentication in Zoom

Zoom account owners and administrators must enable the ” Sign in with two-factor authentication ” option in the Advanced, Security menu within the Zoom control panel. The specific process for the account manager to enable Zoom 2FA is as follows:

  1. We start the session in Zoom Dashboard.
  2. We go to the navigation menu, click on “Advanced” and then click on “Security”.
  3. There, we have to see that the option ” Login with two-factor authentication ” is activated.
  4. Then we have to select what type of users we are going to provide two-step authentication. It could be for all users in the account, for users with specific roles, or for users who belong to specific groups.
  5. To finish, we click Save.

Finally, here is this support document on Zoom’s two-factor authentication. There you can see how to reset 2FA and more information.