MFA is an additional security step when you log in to the Portbase Services
MFA Usage
In the video on the right, we explain how Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) works with an Authenticator App. This is done in two steps:
- The initial setup of MFA, when you create an account
- Using MFA during login
You need a smartphone with an Authenticator App to use MFA. Google Authenticator is mostly used. You can install it on your smartphone.
If you don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to use your private smartphone, you can also use a Security Key. See the tab “MFA with a Security Key”. Using MFA increases the security of your account and your business data.
Steps to greater security
MFA with an Authenticator App
There are two options to use MFA:
- An Authenticator App on your smartphone, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.
- A Security Key. This is an alternative if you don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to use your private smart phone. Check the tab “MFA with a Security Key” for more information.
The video on the right shows the required steps to configure and use MFA with the free Google Authenticator:
- After choosing your password when logging in for the first time, click on ‘Setup’ under ‘Authenticator app’.
- Select the device type of your phone and click on ‘Next’.
- Download the free Google Authenticator app to your phone if you don’t have an Authenticator App yet. You can find it in the App Store on your phone.
- Scan the QR code on the screen with your authenticator app on your phone and click on ‘Next’.
- Enter the 6 digit code displayed in your Authenticator app on the screen. Click on ‘Verify’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Supported authenticator applications for MFA
Portbase has tested the following Authenticator Apps:
- Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator
- DUO Mobile
Portbase selected Google Authenticator for the support of our customers.
If you already use a suitable Authenticator app, you can configure IAMconnected as an additional account.
Setting up MFA on my mobile phone without desktop
The setup of MFA is the easiest if you also use a laptop, desktop or a tablet.
It’s possible to configure MFA with only a mobile phone but it’s rather complex. If you still want to do this, follow these steps:
- After choosing your password when logging in for the first time, click on ‘Setup’ under ‘Authenticator app’.
- Select the device type of your phone and click on ‘Next’.
- Download the free Google Authenticator app on your phone if you don’t have an Authenticator App yet. You can find it in the App Store on your phone.
- A QR-code is displayed on the screen. Click on the link ‘Can’t scan?’ under the QR-code.
- A secret key is displayed consisting of letters and numbers. Copy the secret key or note it down. You need to enter this key in your Authenticator App.
- Open the Authenticator App. Click on the ‘+’ sign.
- Instead of scanning the QR-code you click on ‘secret key’ or ‘enter key manually’(depending on your Authenticator app).
- Enter “IAMconnected” at Account.
- Enter the Secret Key that you noted earlier in the Key field. Click on ‘Next’.
- Copy or remember the 6-digit code displayed in the Authenticator App.
- Return to the IAMconnected page in your browser. Enter the 6-digit code. Click on ‘Verify’.
- MFA has now enabled.
My Google Authenticator codes don’t work for MFA
This is most likely due to a time synchronization issue. You can solve this as follows:
Android Phone:
- Go to the main menu in the Google Authenticator app.
- Select ‘More’ (three dots) and then ‘Settings’.
- Select ‘Time correction for codes’.
- Select ‘Sync now’.
- On the next screen, the app confirms that the time has been synchronised.
You should now be able to use the verification codes from Google Authenticator again.
iPhone:
- Go to iPhone ‘Settings’.
- Select ‘General’.
- Select ‘Date & Time’.
- The ‘Set automatically’ option must be enabled
- Restart your iPhone (optional)
You should now be able to use the verification codes from Google Authenticator again.
Steps for the main administrator
You can use a Security Key if you don’t have smart phone or you don’t want to use your private smart phone.
A security key can be purchased for a few tens of euros; see below for more information.
In the video on the right, you can view the required steps to set up and use MFA with a Security Key:
- After choosing a password when logging in for the first time, select ‘Set up’ under ‘Security key’.
- Insert your security key into a USB port.
- Click on “Enroll”.
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- If you are asked where to store the passkey, select ‘Security key’.
- Your computer may ask for permission to view the brand and model of the security key. Agree to this.
- If your security key has a PIN code, enter it when prompted.
- Place your finger on the Security key when prompted.
- Confirm in your browser. A green checkmark is displayed behind “Security Key”.
- Click on “Finish”. Your account is now secured with MFA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Supported security keys for MFA
Portbase has tested the following Security Keys:
- Feitian ePass FIDO2 A4B
- YubiKey Security Key NFC
- Yubikey 5 NFC
The providers of security keys include:
The cost of a security key is a few tens of euros. The cheapest option tested is the Feitian ePass FIDO2 A4B. Available from 16 euros (prices as of July 2025).
Other security keys can also be used as long as they support the FIDO2 standard.
Do security keys support thin clients with MFA?
This depends on the network protocol used. Microsoft’s remote desktop protocol (RDP) does not support security keys. We do not yet have sufficient information about support for other protocols.
Steps for the user
When you get a new phone, you need to reconfigure MFA on your new phone once. To do this, you must first reset the MFA security in your profile:
- Log in at iamconnected.eu via a laptop or computer (do not use your smartphone). Use MFA on your old phone to login.
- Ga to ‘Profile’ and click ‘Reset’ under ‘Extra verification (MFA)’.
- You will be automatically logged out.
- Log in again. You will automatically see the steps to reset your MFA. Do this using your new phone.
The above steps only work if you still have your old, working phone.
If you have lost your phone or your old phone is broken, the solution depends on your situation:
- You are registered as an employee of an organization:
Ask your main administrator or user administrator to reset your MFA. This is part of User management within IAMconnected.
- You are the Main Administrator of your Organization:
Contact Customer Service of Portbase. They are the only ones who can reset an MFA for a main administrator.
- You are not connected to an organization (e.g. if you use Binnenhavengeld)
Contact Customer Service of Portbase. They can reset your MFA on request.