# New User Sign-up

## Signing up for the first time

**Step 1: Navigate to the Collaboratory website:** [collaboratory.who.int](https://collaboratory.who.int/)

**Step 2: Sign up for the Collaboratory:** On the sign-in form, go to `Sign up now`. 

```{image} ../../static/screenshots/collab-homepage-arrow.png
:alt: log in web page asking for username and password
:width: 350px
:align: center
```

<br>

**Step 3: Complete the form:** Enter in all the requested information and then select the `Create` button.

<br>

```{image} ../../static/screenshots/collab-long-signup-page.png
:alt: log in web page asking for full account information
:width: 400px
:align: center
```


### Set up MFA (Multi-factor authentication)

After the successful submission of all the requested information on the sign-up page, you will need to provide a code which you can obtain from an Authenticator app.
On-screen instructions are shown to guide you through the activation process and obtaining a code from an Authenticator app.

:::{attention}
For security reasons, users are required to set up MFA.  
Note:  2FA (Two-factor authentication) can also be referred to as MFA (Multi-factor Authentication).
:::

:::{note}
You can use either the [**Google Authenticator**](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en_US&pli=1) or [**Microsoft Authenticator**](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/download-microsoft-authenticator-351498fc-850a-45da-b7b6-27e523b8702a) **mobile app**. If you do not have it installed on your phone, you must do that first. 
:::

**Step 4: Open the Authenticator mobile app:** After you sign up, you will see a window with a QR code. 

Log into your Authenticator App, and then click button to add new account by scanning the QR code displayed on the screen. This links your mobile app to your Collaboratory account.

```{image} ../../static/screenshots/authenticator-long.png
:alt: screenshot of a QR code
:width: 400px
:align: center
```

<br>

**Step 5: Enter Verification Code:** Type in the 6-digit code generated by your Authenticator app into the Collaboratory verification fields.  
Note: this code expires in less than 10 seconds.

```{image} ../../static/screenshots/collab-enter-authenticator-code.png
:alt: window to enter a QR code
:width: 400px
:align: center
```

<br>

**Step 6: Collaboratory home page:** You will see this Collaboratory page after successfully creating an account and logging in.

```{image} ../../static/screenshots/collab-home-view-afterlogin.png
:alt: Collaboratory home page
:width: 800px
:align: center
```

## Help
Please {ref}`contact_us` if you experience any difficulties logging into the Collaboratory discussion forum.