Multifactor Authentication Setup

Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, is one of the most effective ways to protect accounts and sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Passwords alone are no longer enough—people often reuse them, choose weak ones, or have them exposed in data breaches. Attackers use phishing, credential stuffing, and brute force attacks to exploit this weakness.

MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second factor, such as a code sent to your phone, an authenticator app, or a biometric like a fingerprint. Even if a password is stolen, the attacker still cannot access the account without that second factor.

The result is a significant reduction in the risk of compromise. Organizations that adopt MFA see fewer successful phishing attacks, stronger compliance with security standards, and greater trust from clients and partners. In short, MFA makes it much harder for bad actors to break in, while keeping it simple for legitimate users to log in securely.

To Set up Multi factor Authentication, follow the steps below: 

DOWNLOAD THE AUTHENTICATOR APP FOR YOUR DEVICE:

Android App Download: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2273142

iPhone App Download: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2273143

OPTION 1: MFA SETUP IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER (PREFERRED):

Here is a video outlining the setup of MFA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCFAoMPFq-Q

Please follow the steps below:

  1. Download the authenticator app for your phone from the link above. There are several set up steps that you need to go through/skip.
  2. On your computer, navigate to https://outlook.office.com and sign in with the credentials provided to you.
  3. There will be a notification that “More information is required”. Click through these prompts until you reach the screen with a QR code
  4. In the Authenticator App, click the “+” to add an account, select “Work or School”, then Scan QR code. Scan the QR code on your screen.
  5. The authenticator app show your account name and have a recurring code, but you’re not done! Click “Next” on your computer
  6. You will receive a notification asking to confirm sign in on your phone. Click that notification, then enter the number on the screen.
  7. If done correctly the desktop will say “Notification Approved”. Click Next and you’re done.

OPTION 2: PHONE ONLY SETUP INSTRUCTIONS:

Here is a URL to a video outlining the steps below:

https://onwardcs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Mobile-MFA-Setup-Walkthrough.mp4

Please follow the steps below:

  1. Download the authenticator app for your phone from the link above. There are several set up steps that you need to go through/skip.
  1. Login to your account on the Outlook App. After logging in follow the prompts until it asks you to scan the QR code on your phone.
  2. Click “Can’t scan image?” below that. This should provide you with an “Account Name” and “Secret Key”.
  3. Open the authenticator app, click the “+” button in the upper right corner, and choose “Other (Google, Facebook, etc.)”. It will open a camera screen, but click the button that says “Or enter code manually” below.
  4. Copy the “Account Name” and “Secret Key” from Outlook here.
  5. Click “Finish”
  6. Go back to Outlook and provide the code generated in the Authenticator app.