---
title: "How to activate two-factor authentication in SiteWorx"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/security/two-factor-authentication/"
description: "How users with Siteworx servers can activate two-factor authentication for their SiteWorx account."
vertical: "Sites & Stores"
date: "2019-09-11"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# How to activate two-factor authentication in SiteWorx

## Prerequisites

- A Siteworx server; if you are a Nexcess Cloud client, see instead [How to use two-factor authentication in the Client Portal](https://www.liquidweb.com/help-docs/portal/account/account-security/two-factor-authentication/)
- Your login credentials for SiteWorx
- A two-factor authentication application such as Google Authenticator, DuoSecurity, or equivalent
- Your secured mobile device

## Generate security key in SiteWorx

Google Authenticator

For Step 1 below, choose Google Authenticator if you want to benefit from the example provided in the next section.

1. On your mobile device, if you have not already done so, download and install a two-factor authentication application such as Google Authenticator, DuoSecurity, or equivalent.
2. Log in to your SiteWorx account. 
    - If you do not know your password, click **Forgot** **your** **password** on the login page.
3. From the SiteWorx main menu, click **Administration > Authentication**.
4. On the Two-Factor Authentication page, click **Generate.**
5. The Generate Key panel will appear, providing you a **Key**, **QRCode**, and an empty **Authentication Code** field.![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568220822818-1568220822818.png)
6. Open your two-factor authorization application and use the information gathered in Step 4 as directed to complete setup. For an example of how to do this using Google Authenticator, go the next section.

## Set up your two-factor authorization app (Google Authenticator)

1. From your mobile device, open Google Authenticator, then tap the **+ icon**.
2. Tap either **Scan a barcode**, or **Enter a provided key**. The first option is usually easiest.  
    
    - If you selected **Scan a barcode**: 
        1. Place the QR code shown in SiteWorx within the red lines.
        2. After Google Authenticator adds your account, enter the six-digit code into the **Authentication** **Code** field in the SiteWorx Generate Key panel.
        3. Click **Save.**
    - If you selected **Enter a provided key**: 
        1. In Google Authenticator, in the **Account** **name** field, enter a name.
        2. Locate the 16-digit key shown in SiteWorx, then enter it in the **Your** **Key** field in Google Authenticator.
        3. In Google Authenticator, click **ADD.**
        4. In SiteWorx, click **Save.**
3. If successful, the key and QR Code will appear in the Two-Factor Authentication panel in SiteWorx.
4. Test your two-factor authorization by logging out of SiteWorx, then logging back in. When prompted for your authentication code, enter the appropriate code from Google Authenticator, then click SUBMIT.  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568221160222-1568221160222-scaled-1.png)