# Thinlinc MFA login

#### SSH/ThinLinc: GUI client

The authentication process is the same when a GUI client like !ThinLinc client is used. However, this method is **least friendly** for the initial configuration: the displayed text cannot be copied. Because of this we suggest other ways to configure the MFA initially.

1\. Please login over ssh or with !ThinLinc. If no MFA device is configured yet, a selection of options is shown.

- [![mfa-tl-login.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-login.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-login.png) [![mfa-tl-choose-setup.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-choose-setup.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-choose-setup.png)

2\. The easiest one to configure is **email**, but all three choices are possible:

- [![mfa-tl-setup-totp.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-setup-totp.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-setup-totp.png) [![mfa-tl-setup-recovery-codes.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-setup-recovery-codes.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-setup-recovery-codes.png) [![mfa-tl-setup-email.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-setup-email.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-setup-email.png)

3\. If the second factor is configured, a list of methods is shown and you can use a code from any of them. Type *email* to request an email code - an email is sent automatically *only* when it is the only method.

- [![mfa-tl-login.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-login.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-login.png) [![mfa-tl-challenge.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-challenge.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-challenge.png) [![mfa-tl-email-challenge.png](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-email-challenge.png)](https://wiki.math.uzh.ch/public/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mfa-tl-email-challenge.png)