# Account Setup

## **Overview**

The following are instructions on setting up an account in AWS.

### **Step 1: Go to the AWS Website**

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the [AWS Sign-Up Page](https://aws.amazon.com/).

### **Step 2: Begin the Registration Process**

1. On the AWS homepage, click **"Create an AWS Account."**
2. Enter your **email address**, **password**, and **AWS account name** (choose a unique account name to make it easy to identify).
3. Click **"Continue"** to proceed.

### **Step 3: Set Account Type and Contact Information**

1. Select **Account Type**:
   * **Personal**: If the account is for personal use or learning.
   * **Business**: If the account is for an organization or a business.
2. Enter your **contact information**, including:
   * Full name (or business name)
   * Phone number
   * Country/region, address, and postal code
3. Check the **Terms and Conditions** box and click **"Continue"**.

### **Step 4: Enter Payment Information**

1. AWS requires a payment method to verify your account, even if you only plan to use the **Free Tier**.
2. Enter **credit/debit card details** or **payment method**.
3. AWS will place a **temporary authorization charge** (usually $1) to verify the card.
4. Click **"Verify and Continue."**

### **Step 5: Identity Verification**

1. Choose how you want AWS to verify your identity:
   * **Text message (SMS)**: Enter your phone number, and AWS will send a verification code.
   * **Voice call**: AWS will call you with a code to enter.
2. Enter the **verification code** when prompted, and click **Continue**.

### **Step 6: Select a Support Plan**

AWS offers the following support plans:

* **Basic Support** (Free) – Recommended if you’re just starting.
* **Developer Support** – For test environments.
* **Business Support** – For production workloads.
* **Enterprise Support** – For mission-critical applications.

Select **Basic Support** to avoid extra costs for now, and click **"Continue."**

### **Step 7: Sign In to Your New AWS Account**

1. After setting up the account, go to the [AWS Management Console](https://aws.amazon.com/console/).
2. Use the **email and password** you created to log in.
3. You’ll be prompted to set up **Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)** — _it’s highly recommended_ for enhanced security.

### **Step 8: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Root User**

1. In the AWS Management Console, search for **"IAM"** (Identity and Access Management).
2. Select **Users > Root User**.
3. Click **Activate MFA** and follow the steps to set up **MFA** using:
   * A **virtual MFA app** (e.g., Google Authenticator)
   * A **hardware MFA device** (if you have one)

### **Step 9: Set Up Billing Alerts and Free Tier Usage Monitoring**

1. Go to **Billing and Cost Management** in the console.
2. Set **Billing Alerts** to ensure you don’t accidentally exceed the free tier.
3. Enable **AWS Budgets** to track and monitor usage.

### **Step 10: Create an IAM User for Daily Use (Best Practice)**

1. Go to **IAM** from the console.
2. Click **Users > Add User** and create a user with:
   * **Programmatic Access** (if you need CLI access)
   * **Management Console Access** (for console use)
3. Assign **Administrator Access** to the new user (you can adjust permissions later).
4. Download the **credentials** securely.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Use the IAM user for day-to-day tasks instead of the root user to improve security.
{% endhint %}

### **Step 11: Secure Your Account**

1. **Enable MFA** for the new IAM user as well.
2. Set **Strong Password Policies** under **IAM > Account Settings**.
3. **Enable CloudTrail** to log all account activity for auditing.
4. **Set Up AWS Config** to monitor resource changes.
