Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra verification step when you sign in to your Dyn account.

With MFA enabled, you enter your username and password first, then confirm your sign-in using one of your approved verification methods.

For account.dyn.com, you can use:

  • an authenticator app
  • email verification codes

Why use MFA

MFA helps protect your account even if someone learns your password.

It is especially helpful if you use your Dyn account to manage services such as Dynamic DNS or Standard DNS.

It is also helpful if you have used your account password on a device others may access. On shared devices, we strongly recommend using the Updater Client Key authentication method for the Dynamic DNS update API (RA-API) instead of your account password to help prevent unauthorized distribution of your account password.

MFA is used only when you sign in to your account at account.dyn.com. It is not used by the Dynamic DNS update API (RA-API), and Updater Client Keys are only used for the update API, not for signing in to your account.

MFA methods you can use

Authenticator app

This is the recommended MFA method.

When you set it up, you scan a QR code or enter a setup key into an authenticator app, then enter the 6-digit code the app generates.

When you finish setup, you will also receive backup codes. Save these in a secure place. Each backup code can only be used once.

Email verification codes

You can also use one-time verification codes sent to your account email address.

If you request more than one email code, use the most recently delivered code.

Before you begin

Make sure you can sign in to your account at account.dyn.com.

If you plan to use an authenticator app, install the app on your device before you begin.

Set up MFA

Turn on authenticator-app MFA

  1. Sign in to your account at account.dyn.com.
  2. Open Account Settings.
  3. Open the MFA or security section.
  4. Choose the option to set up an authenticator app.
  5. Confirm your password if prompted.
  6. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app, or enter the setup key manually.
  7. Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app.
  8. Save your backup codes in a secure place.

Turn on email-code MFA

  1. Sign in to your account at account.dyn.com.
  2. Open Account Settings.
  3. Open the MFA or security section.
  4. Choose the option to use email verification codes.
  5. Confirm your password if prompted.
  6. Request the verification code.
  7. Enter the code sent to your account email address.

What to expect when you sign in

After MFA is enabled, signing in happens in two steps:

  1. Enter your username and password.
  2. Complete the MFA verification step.

If you have both an authenticator app and email codes enabled, the sign-in page may show the authenticator-app option first. You can switch to email if that option is available for your account.

Backup codes

Backup codes are available when you set up authenticator-app MFA.

Use a backup code if you cannot access your authenticator app.

Important things to know:

  • each backup code works only once
  • you should store backup codes in a secure location
  • if you generate a new set of backup codes, the new set replaces and invalidates all previously generated backup codes

Important behavior to know

Email-code resend behavior

If you request another email code, the newest code is the one you should use.

If you request codes too quickly, you may need to wait before requesting another one.

Changing your account email address

If you change your account email address, email-based MFA is turned off.

After the email change is complete, you can sign in and enable email-based MFA again using your new email address.

Other active sessions

For security reasons, some MFA changes may sign you out of other active sessions.

Turn off or update MFA

To change your MFA settings:

  1. Sign in to account.dyn.com.
  2. Open Account Settings.
  3. Open the MFA or security section.
  4. Follow the prompts to disable or reconfigure your MFA method.

Depending on the change, you may be asked to confirm your password and enter a verification code.

Troubleshooting

I did not receive my email code

Try these steps:

  • check your spam or junk folder
  • wait a few minutes for delivery
  • if you requested multiple codes, use the newest one
  • if you tried to resend too quickly, wait and try again

My authenticator-app code is not working

Make sure:

  • you are entering the current 6-digit code
  • your device time is set correctly
  • you are using the correct authenticator entry for your Dyn account

If you still cannot sign in, try a backup code if you saved one.

I lost access to my authenticator app

If you still have backup codes, use one to sign in.

If you also have email-based MFA enabled, you may be able to switch to email during sign-in.

If you no longer have access to any MFA method, sign in to your account at account.dyn.com or contact support using the options listed on the Technical Support page.

My MFA prompt expired

If you stay on the MFA prompt too long, it may expire and send you back to the sign-in page.

If this happens, start the sign-in process again.