Frequently Asked Question

How does Two Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication work (sometimes 2FA or MFA)
Last Updated 3 years ago

Update: To modify your two factor phone numbers or other settings this link will take you directly there.

https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info


The time has come, we need to enable multi-factor authentication for our systems. This will help to improve security and hopefully keep us all safer. The process is simple. You may come across the setup in different ways, but to keep it basic, let's say you login to your email through the web by going to https://outlook.office.com You will get notice that “More Information is Needed”

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Click on Next

You will then get to a screen that says “Don’t lose access to your account”

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** NOTE ** - You only need to choose ONE of these options, you can choose more than one but only one is required!

I would recommend using Authentication Phone as the first choice, it just requires you entering a text message code that is sent to your number, if that’s not an option authentication email will do the trick. This send a code to your personal email (anything that is not @m-ecs.org) then you can enter the code you get there.

The security questions are primarily for student use as they may not have a phone or access to a personal email, so the other options are not viable.

Either one you choose click on “Set it up now”

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Choose United States for Country or Region and enter your phone number. You can choose to have it call you or text you. I find text easier but it’s up to you.

Enter the code you receive and click on verify

Then you will be back to the previous screen but will have a green check mark for whatever option you selected. Click on finish.

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Next time you login you get a new screen asking how you should be verified.

You will have two choices, either Authentication Phone/Email (depending on what you chose earlier,) or Mobile App

If you’d like to use the Mobile App (convenient and fast if you use Face ID) you can search for “Microsoft Authenticator” in the App Store or Google Play Store on your phone. Otherwise just pick whatever option you just setup and click next. In this case Authentication phone.

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Once message is received enter it and click verify.

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Okay, now it’s verified. All set.

When you are in district you will not be prompted to use the 2nd factor because it is a known location. However, when you are out of district, at home or elsewhere, you will be prompted to verify your identity.

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Click on the option to verify and enter the code you receive as before. If you check the box, it won’t ask you to do this again for 14 days.

That works well most of the time, sometimes other factors will cause it to happen again, but I’d check it if I was on a computer that I used frequently (not a public computer somewhere though.)

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That should take care of it.

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