How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your HDM Email Account
Two-factor authentication, commonly called 2FA, adds an important extra layer of security to your email account.
Normally, signing in requires something you know: your password. With 2FA enabled, you also need something you have, such as your mobile phone. After entering your email address and password, you'll be asked for a temporary six-digit verification code.
This extra step can help prevent unauthorized access even if someone obtains your email password.
Choosing a 2FA Method
HDM email accounts support two common methods of two-factor authentication:
- Authenticator app — A mobile app generates a temporary six-digit security code. This is the recommended option.
- SMS text message — A temporary security code is sent to your mobile phone by text message.
Authenticator apps are generally considered more secure because text messages may be vulnerable to interception or unauthorized SIM transfers.
Popular authenticator apps include Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, FreeOTP, and other apps that support time-based one-time passwords (TOTP).
Some password managers can also generate compatible authentication codes.
Before You Begin
Before activating 2FA, make sure you have:
- Access to your HDM email account through webmail.
- Your current email password.
- Your chosen authenticator app installed on your phone, or access to a mobile number capable of receiving text messages.
You can access webmail at:
Option 1: Enable 2FA Using an Authenticator App
For the strongest protection, we recommend using an authenticator app.
- Sign in to HDM Webmail.
- Select Settings from the sidebar.
- Select Password from the menu on the left.
- Select Two-factor authentication.
- Choose the option to configure 2FA using an authenticator.
- Select Enable with Google Authenticator. This option also works with most other TOTP-compatible authenticator apps.
- Re-enter your email password when prompted.
- Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code displayed on the screen.
- Your authenticator app will generate a six-digit code.
- Enter that code into webmail to complete the setup.
Once setup is complete, you will automatically be signed out.
The next time you sign in, enter your email address and password as usual. You will then be prompted for the six-digit code generated by your authenticator app.
Important: Changing or Replacing Your Phone
If you use an authenticator app, remember that your 2FA configuration is associated with the authentication information stored on your device.
Before replacing, resetting, or erasing your phone, disable or transfer your authenticator configuration first.
If you lose access to your authentication device before doing this, you may no longer be able to sign in without assistance from HDM.
Option 2: Enable 2FA Using SMS
You can also receive your security code through text messaging.
- Sign in to HDM Webmail.
- Select Settings from the sidebar.
- Select Password from the menu on the left.
- Select Two-factor authentication.
- Choose the option to configure 2FA using SMS.
- Select Enable with SMS.
- Re-enter your email password.
- Enter the mobile phone number you want to use.
- A six-digit verification code will be sent to your phone.
- Enter the code into webmail to complete the setup.
You will automatically be signed out after 2FA has been activated.
The next time you sign in, a security code will be sent to your configured mobile number.
Signing In After 2FA Is Enabled
Once 2FA is active, signing in involves two steps:
- Visit HDM Webmail and enter your email address and password.
- When prompted, enter the six-digit verification code from your authenticator app or text message.
Once the verification code is accepted, you'll have access to your mailbox.
Important Information About Password Changes
While 2FA is enabled, you may be unable to successfully update your primary email password.
If you need to change your email password, you should first disable 2FA, change the password, and then enable 2FA again.
How to Disable 2FA
You may need to disable 2FA when:
- Replacing your mobile phone.
- Resetting your phone.
- Changing authenticator apps.
- Changing the phone number used for SMS verification.
- Updating certain account security settings.
To disable 2FA:
- Sign in to HDM Webmail.
- Select Settings.
- Select Password.
- Select Two-factor authentication.
- Select Disable.
- Enter your current email password and select Submit.
- Enter the verification code from your authenticator app or SMS message.
- Select Submit again.
A confirmation message will appear when 2FA has been disabled.
You can then continue using the account without 2FA or immediately configure a new authentication device or phone number.
Need Help With Two-Factor Authentication?
If you lose your phone, replace your device before transferring 2FA, or can no longer generate your authentication code, contact Hazel Digital Media (HDM) for assistance.
For security reasons, additional verification may be required before changes can be made to the authentication settings for an email account.
Keeping your email protected is increasingly important because email is often connected to password resets, financial services, business applications, cloud platforms, and other sensitive accounts. Using a strong, unique password together with two-factor authentication provides significantly better protection than relying on a password alone.
Two-factor authentication, commonly called 2FA, adds an important extra layer of security to your email account.
Normally, signing in requires something you know: your password. With 2FA enabled, you also need something you have, such as your mobile phone. After entering your email address and password, you'll be asked for a temporary six-digit verification code.
This extra step can help prevent unauthorized access even if someone obtains your email password.
Choosing a 2FA Method
HDM email accounts support two common methods of two-factor authentication:
- Authenticator app — A mobile app generates a temporary six-digit security code. This is the recommended option.
- SMS text message — A temporary security code is sent to your mobile phone by text message.
Authenticator apps are generally considered more secure because text messages may be vulnerable to interception or unauthorized SIM transfers.
Popular authenticator apps include Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, FreeOTP, and other apps that support time-based one-time passwords (TOTP).
Some password managers can also generate compatible authentication codes.
Before You Begin
Before activating 2FA, make sure you have:
- Access to your HDM email account through webmail.
- Your current email password.
- Your chosen authenticator app installed on your phone, or access to a mobile number capable of receiving text messages.
You can access webmail at:
Option 1: Enable 2FA Using an Authenticator App
For the strongest protection, we recommend using an authenticator app.
- Sign in to HDM Webmail.
- Select Settings from the sidebar.
- Select Password from the menu on the left.
- Select Two-factor authentication.
- Choose the option to configure 2FA using an authenticator.
- Select Enable with Google Authenticator. This option also works with most other TOTP-compatible authenticator apps.
- Re-enter your email password when prompted.
- Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code displayed on the screen.
- Your authenticator app will generate a six-digit code.
- Enter that code into webmail to complete the setup.
Once setup is complete, you will automatically be signed out.
The next time you sign in, enter your email address and password as usual. You will then be prompted for the six-digit code generated by your authenticator app.
Important: Changing or Replacing Your Phone
If you use an authenticator app, remember that your 2FA configuration is associated with the authentication information stored on your device.
Before replacing, resetting, or erasing your phone, disable or transfer your authenticator configuration first.
If you lose access to your authentication device before doing this, you may no longer be able to sign in without assistance from HDM.
Option 2: Enable 2FA Using SMS
You can also receive your security code through text messaging.
- Sign in to HDM Webmail.
- Select Settings from the sidebar.
- Select Password from the menu on the left.
- Select Two-factor authentication.
- Choose the option to configure 2FA using SMS.
- Select Enable with SMS.
- Re-enter your email password.
- Enter the mobile phone number you want to use.
- A six-digit verification code will be sent to your phone.
- Enter the code into webmail to complete the setup.
You will automatically be signed out after 2FA has been activated.
The next time you sign in, a security code will be sent to your configured mobile number.
Signing In After 2FA Is Enabled
Once 2FA is active, signing in involves two steps:
- Visit HDM Webmail and enter your email address and password.
- When prompted, enter the six-digit verification code from your authenticator app or text message.
Once the verification code is accepted, you'll have access to your mailbox.
Important Information About Password Changes
While 2FA is enabled, you may be unable to successfully update your primary email password.
If you need to change your email password, you should first disable 2FA, change the password, and then enable 2FA again.
How to Disable 2FA
You may need to disable 2FA when:
- Replacing your mobile phone.
- Resetting your phone.
- Changing authenticator apps.
- Changing the phone number used for SMS verification.
- Updating certain account security settings.
To disable 2FA:
- Sign in to HDM Webmail.
- Select Settings.
- Select Password.
- Select Two-factor authentication.
- Select Disable.
- Enter your current email password and select Submit.
- Enter the verification code from your authenticator app or SMS message.
- Select Submit again.
A confirmation message will appear when 2FA has been disabled.
You can then continue using the account without 2FA or immediately configure a new authentication device or phone number.
Need Help With Two-Factor Authentication?
If you lose your phone, replace your device before transferring 2FA, or can no longer generate your authentication code, contact Hazel Digital Media (HDM) for assistance.
For security reasons, additional verification may be required before changes can be made to the authentication settings for an email account.
Keeping your email protected is increasingly important because email is often connected to password resets, financial services, business applications, cloud platforms, and other sensitive accounts. Using a strong, unique password together with two-factor authentication provides significantly better protection than relying on a password alone.