Overview
If someone got hold of your password (an authentication factor), this person could use your username and password to impersonate you. If the system would request a second or third unique factor, taking over your account is a lot harder. There are 3 factors of authentication:
- Something you know: your password
- Something you have: your (smart) phone
- Something you are: your fingerprint
As you can see, with MFA just stealing your password will not be enough to take control of your account.
Issue
Microsoft 365 uses Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), relying on a password and a phone. It can be explained in the following steps:
- Your Office 365 account gets enabled for MFA
- Next time you logon to an Microsoft 365 account you need to configure MFA (this requires a web browser)
- You identify the methods of the second authentication. If you have an iPhone or Android we recommend the Authenticator App (see screenshot of the app on an iPhone)
- After you complete configuration, MFA will be invoked each time you connect to an Microsoft 365 service from a new device.
Troubleshooting
If you have a smartphone, we recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator App. It makes using Microsoft 365 MFA quick and easy. Install it ahead of time:
Additional Information
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.