Multifactor Authentication Setup Guide

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) provides increased security because instead of only using a password, or a code through text, a separate app on your phone is used to verify access. MFA makes it difficult for unauthorised users to sign into your account. With MFA staff and students in Dundalk Institute of Technology can use the Microsoft Authenticator app to securely sign into Microsoft 365 on their devices.

The Authenticator App is installed on your Mobile device (Android or Apple) and is used to authenticate that you are the person attempting to log on to your account. When a login attempt is made using your computer login details, MFA will send a notification to your phone via this app.

You log into your account with your username and password. You will then get a notification via the mobile app verification to verify it is you logging into your account.

Using the Android or Apple store, search for the Microsoft Authenticator App and install onto your phone.

Initially, you will be prompted on all devices for each Microsoft Office application. Sometimes you can select “don’t ask again for 14 days” or until you change your password.

Yes, you will need to install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone to use MFA.

MFA will be required for all applications that currently use Microsoft 365 to log on to. This includes the MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) as well as Microsoft 365 applications (OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint).

The Microsoft Authenticator App does not need coverage/data to generate the code used to sign in.

There is no cost associated with authenticating with your phone.

You will have to contact the help desk and have them help you get back into your account.

Contact the help desk at [email protected] or call +353 42 9370 300

You will not be able to access your account until your MFA registration has been reset and set up again.

If you use the "Microsoft Authenticator App" and you no longer have access to the old phone, then you can use the following link to reconfigure your MFA options: https://aka.ms/MFASetup

Yes, you can. You will need to add each account into the application.

An unsolicited request to approve a login that you have not initiated usually means that someone else knows your username and password and are trying to use it. Do not approve these requests, change your password immediately.

1. Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info/password/change and sign in to your Microsoft 365 account.
2. Click Change Password in the Password section.
3. Choose a new password and confirm the new password.
   Be sure to use a strong, unique password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
4. Click Submit to confirm the password change.

No, Apple Watch and Android wearable devices (such as Samsung Galaxy Watch) are currently incompatible with Authenticator’s security features, but you can mirror Authenticator notifications from your phone to your wearable device.

Follow the below steps to get the Microsoft Authenticator set up on your new device.

1. Visit https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info on your computer and sign in (using your current authenticator if asked)
2. Click on “Add sign-in method” and select “Microsoft Authenticator”
3. Click the “Next” button twice until a QR code is displayed on-screen
4. On your new phone, open the Microsoft Authenticator app and press the “Add Account” or “+” button, then select “Work or School account” followed by “Scan a QR Code”
5. Scan the QR code using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your new phone and click “Next” on the computer
6. Respond to the authentication prompt on your phone by entering the 2-digit number displayed on the computer screen. Click “Next”. Setup is now complete