Setting up and using multi-factor authentication (MFA) with Outlook Email & Office 365

Setting up and using multi-factor authentication (MFA)

with Outlook Email & Office 365

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, makes accessing your account much more secure.  It adds an additional layer of security by adding a time sensitive code that must also be entered to gain access to the account.  You are prompted to do this whenever you are required to log in, which I have found isn’t very often with Outlook email / Office 365.  This additional layer of security is well worth the reduced risk of having your account hacked.

TO SET UP

In preparation of MFA, please install the Microsoft Authenticator App on your mobile device.

Once your account is configured to use MFA, follow this link to continue.

https://aka.ms/MFASetup

Enter your email address and password, then follow the prompts.

The authenticator app should create an entry with your email address and finish the log in process.

You can also choose “I want to set up a different method” and receive a confirmation text, rather than use the authenticator app but I strongly recommend the app as it is much easier to use.

TO USE

When you need to log into your email account or an O365 application, you will be presented with a popup with a number.  Your MS authenticator app will send a notification that there is a login request and will require you to put that number into the app and tap ‘yes’.  Once you put that number into the app, the login process will then complete.

PLEASE NOTE:  The number is time sensitive and if not completed within a short period of time (maybe a minute) it will expire.  If that happens, an option to send another code should appear which you can use to complete the login process.

You’ll see this from your email login.

You’ll see this from the authenticator app on your mobile device.