Two-Step Verification Frequently Asked Questions

What is MathWorks Two-Step Verification?

Using your email address and password on Mathworks.com is the first step in verifying your account. If you choose, you can include a second step as extra layer of protection. This second layer increases the security of your MathWorks Account to ensure someone doesn’t use your license or access any data you have stored in our systems.

This additional layer provides protection when you trust a device or browser through a verification code process. Because the code changes each time you sign in from an untrusted device, this code cannot be stolen. Combined with your password, Two-Step Verification is a powerful barrier to an intruder.

How does Two-Step Verification work?

When you opt in to Two-Step Verification, you specify one of these methods for receiving a verification code:

• Via text message (to a mobile phone number you provide during set up)
• Via email message
• Via smartphone apps like Google Authenticator or Authy that generate a code

The next time you sign in using your MathWorks Account, you will be prompted for the verification code via the method you specified.

This verification code represents something only you have because we sent it directly and only to you. After Two-Step Verification is configured and each time you sign in from a new browser or device, you will need a code to enter in the system. To keep sign in simple, you can trust a browser or device and from then on, that browser or device asks for your user name and password only.

How do you turn on Two-Step Verification?

1. Sign in to MathWorks.com.
2. Go to the My Account page.
3. Go to Security Settings.
4. Click Enable.
5. Select how you want to get your codes: authenticator app, text message, or email.
6. MathWorks will send you a verification code to your chosen method.
7. Enter the verification code where prompted.

That’s it! You are now set up for Two-Step Verification.

Additional Setup Options:

• On each device that you use, you can select to trust the device the next time you sign in.

  See What is trust?

• Consider adding an alternative method for getting the code. This alternative method ensures that you can access your account even if you are unable to get to it via your primary method.

How do you turn off Two-Step Verification?

To turn off Two-Step Verification:

1. Sign in to MathWorks.com.
2. Go to the My Account page.
3. Go to Security Settings.
4. Click Disable.
5. You will be signed out and asked to sign in again to confirm that it is you that disabled Two-Step Verification.

Two-Step Verification is now turned off for your account.

How do you change the primary method of verification?

Change the primary method of receiving verification codes:

1. Sign in to MathWorks.com.
2. Go to the My Account page.
3. Go to Security Settings.
4. Next to Primary, click Change.
5. You will be signed out and asked to sign in again to confirm that it is you that changed the primary method.
6. Follow the prompts to select and validate a different primary method of receiving verification codes.

How do you set up an alternative method to receive verification codes?

Add an alternative method to receive verification codes:

1. Sign in to MathWorks.com.
2. Go to the My Account page.
3. Go to Security Settings.
4. Next to Alternative, click Add Alternative.
5. Follow the prompts to select and validate an alternative method of receiving verification codes.

Note: You cannot use the email address on your MathWorks Account.

How do you sign in with Two-Step Verification?

Each time you sign in from any untrusted device (see What is trust?), you are prompted to enter a verification code. This occurs for both online access and in-product requests.

Sign in to MathWorks Account for online offerings

For example, MathWorks.com, MATLAB Online, ThingSpeak, and so on.

To securely sign in:

1. Sign in to your MathWorks Account.
2. MathWorks sends a verification code to your primary method.
3. You then enter that verification code where prompted.
4. After the code is accepted, you can continue with your task.

Sign in to MATLAB or MATLAB installer and activation client

To securely sign in:

1. Sign in to MATLAB or MATLAB installer and activation client.
2. You will get an error message that a code has been sent to your primary method.
3. On the error message, click OK to sign in again.
4. This time, enter your password followed by the verification code with no spaces; for example, “password123456”. After the code is accepted, you can continue with your task.

If an authenticator app is your primary method, you will have received the verification code even before this message is displayed. This allows you to sign in using the password + verification code combination the first time, without getting this message.

What is Trust?

Trust means that MathWorks remembers you have already authenticated a particular device, and will not ask for an authentication code the next time you sign in on that same device.

Trust remains in effect until you explicitly revoke that trust, or for browsers, you clear your browser cookies. Disabling Two-Step Verification on your MathWorks Account also removes the trust on all trusted devices.

How do I get an authenticator app?

The following sources can connect you with authenticator apps you can get for different smartphone types.

Why should you set an alternative method to get codes?

If you do not have an alternative method of receiving the verification code, you may find yourself locked out of your MathWorks Account should your primary method fail you (for example, if you lost your phone or if your email server is down). If this happens, you will need to contact Customer Support.

With an alternative method set, if your primary method fails, you can still access your MathWorks Account and, if necessary, reset the primary method to a device that you can now access.

What happens if you lose your phone?

If you have set an alternative method, use that method to sign in to your MathWorks Account. After you have access, you can reset the primary method to a device you now have regular access to.

If you did not set an alternative method, call Customer Support.

What if you can’t sign in?

If you cannot sign in to your MathWorks Account, and you did not set up an alternative method or your alternative method has also failed, contact Customer Support.

How do I contact Customer Support?

Contact Customer Support at www.mathworks.com. If your issue occurs outside of customer service hours, leave a message for an available representative to contact you at the soonest opportunity.