Why use 2FA?

Passwords alone no longer offer sufficient protection for your online accounts. Many individuals continue to use simple, easily guessable passwords across multiple accounts. However, even when employing strong, unique passwords for every account, there's still a risk of them being exposed in a data breach.

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, with billions of passwords leaked in recent years. This means there's a possibility some of your passwords may have been compromised. You can check if your own email or passwords have been revealed in the Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) database (new window),

Furthermore, phishing attacks (where scammers can trick you into entering your password on fraudulent websites) are on the rise and are becoming more sophisticated and targeted, making even experienced IT professionals susceptible.

By enabling 2-factor authentication (2FA), your online accounts will remain secure even if your password is ever compromised through a phishing scam or a data breach.

Enable two-factor authentication

  1. Head over to the settings page and select the security option from the side menu.
  2. In the Two-Factor authentication (2FA) section click the button to “turn on” 2FA.
Smilenotes security settings page showing the option to enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
Smilenotes security settings page showing the option to enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
  1. At the prompt, enter your account password

Now add Smilenotes to your authenticator app

  1. Open up your authenticator app on your mobile phone and select the option to “Scan a QR code”.
    2. What is an authenticator app?...
  2. Scan the QR code displayed by Smilenotes then click “Continue”.
Smilenotes security settings page displaying QR code for setting up two-factor authentication with an authenticator app.
Smilenotes security settings page displaying QR code for setting up two-factor authentication with an authenticator app.
  1. Enter the six digit code generated by your authenticator app then click “Continue”.
Authenticator app displaying a 6-digit code to use for enabling two-factor authentication in Smilenotes.
Authenticator app displaying a 6-digit code to use for enabling two-factor authentication in Smilenotes.
  1. Smilenotes creates your recovery keys, then lists them in the next pop-up window. To save your keys, click Download (.txt file).
Smilenotes recovery codes displayed for backup in case users lose access to their two-factor authentication method.
Smilenotes recovery codes displayed for backup in case users lose access to their two-factor authentication method.
  1. Click “Done” to finish

Updated: 10 February 2026