# Creating an AWS Account — AWS Fundamentals: Core Services for Cloud Beginners

Source: https://www.skillbyai.com/en/aws/aws-account

> Create an AWS account safely: protect the root user with MFA, use IAM users and set a budget alert from day one.

## Signing up

Creating an AWS account needs an email, a payment method, and phone verification. That email/password pair becomes the **root user** — the account's most powerful identity.

## Protect the root user

Turn on **MFA** on the root user immediately, and stop using it for daily work. Create a separate IAM user for yourself instead — root should be locked away for emergencies only.

## Billing from day one

The Billing dashboard shows what you owe and forecasts. Set up a **budget alert** early so an accidental large resource doesn't surprise you with a bill.