Signing up for Synapse without a Phone
Problem:
The current procedure for signing up for Synapse requires users to either create an account or join via a team invitation. Both methods now mandate 2FA Authentication to complete registration and gain access to the account, which applies to both contributors and employees at Sage. To successfully finalize the 2FA process, users must utilize applications such as Duo, Google Authenticator, or Microsoft Authenticator, all of which are mobile applications that DO NOT offer desktop versions. It has been observed that some contributors either lack access to a smartphone or feel uneasy about downloading these types of authenticators onto their devices.
Solution:
We recommend the implementation of TOTP authenticators that are accessible as desktop applications or web browser extensions. This approach will allow contributors to log in to Synapse without the necessity of a mobile device. To enable this transition, several components must be established, as outlined below.
Steps:
Set up the authenticator on your machine (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Recommended Authenticators:
Bitwarden (Premium Subscription required)
1Password (Premium Subscription required)
Authenticator (Recommended)
This is an open-source tool that is free to install, requires no account sign-up, and is available on both Firefox and Chrome-based browsers.
A potential drawback is that if the browser is uninstalled or the computer is lost, access to the account will be compromised, as this authenticator is device-specific and cannot be synchronized across devices without additional configuration.
Nevertheless, upon signing up for a Synapse account, users receive a list of backup codes, so it is advisable to store these codes in a secure location.
We recommend utilizing Authenticator due to its minimal setup requirements, which allows contributors to quickly log in and begin uploading data. Contributors may opt for another authenticator as long as it has a web browser extension or a mechanism for generating TOTP passwords.
To install Authenticator, please visit the following link and select your browser, which will redirect you to the appropriate web store page for installation:
Sign up for a Synapse Account
NOTE: If you already possess a Synapse account, you may skip this step.
NOTE: If you have received an invitation via a team invite, please sign up using the email link provided to you.
Set up the TOTP on the Authenticator in the web browser
Once you arrive at the 2FA screen, please follow the guide documented below from the Authenticator Docs:
The basic steps are:
Click on the Authenticator Extension.
Click the scan icon located at the top right corner of the window.
Click and drag to draw a square that completely covers the QR code.
After the new account is added, you will observe a new entry in the window.
The 6-digit number represents your current one-time password, and the circle at the bottom right corner indicates the remaining time for the current password. If you wish to add this account to a mobile application, you can click the QR icon at the top right corner of the entry to display the QR code for this account.
Extra Resources
