Setup Multi-Factor-Authentication (From a PC)
This will setup Multi-Factor-Authentication MFA for your account and show you how to install the SmartPhone App for quick and easy MFA verification.
Optional Video: *** Watch this video of an installation example** Note that the process has changed a bit since the video was made.
- Start by using this setup link from your PC https://aka.ms/MFASetup
- You will most likely be asked to sign-in!
- Enter in your email address
- Enter in your password
- Tap [SIGN IN]
- You will most likely be asked to sign-in!
- You should see a screen with your email address on it that says "More information required"
- Tap [NEXT]
- If you don't see the "More information required" screen, MFA may already be setup!
- If you see this exact screen below, proceed with Step-3. Otherwise skip to step 6, if the screen says "Security Info" and shows various authentication methods.
Make sure the first box says “United States (+1)” like shown above.
- Enter in your 10-digit cell phone number.
- Note - your number may already be in there. If there is a number in there, just verify it is correct and change it if needed.
- Select "Call me" and press [NEXT]
- Your authentication method will be tested!
- Answer the phone call (there will be an automated message), open the phone keypad, then press {#}.
- After a few seconds the screen should read "Call answered. Your phone was registered successfully" - if not, you may need to try again.
- Press [NEXT] once you have successfully verified your authentication method.
- You should get a "Success!" message - press [DONE]
- You should end up on a Security Info page.
- At this point you have done enough configuration to accept a MFA challenge.
This challenge will be a phone call like you just verified above.
**You can be finished at this point, however, it is recommended that you continue with the steps below to install and setup the Microsoft Authentication App. This is an easier way to answer a MFA challenge. Also, the Authentictaor app method is REQUIRED if you're going to be using the VPN, as the phone call/text code method cannot be used to authenticate on the VPN!
Setup the Microsoft Authentication App - Install the Microsoft Authenticator App on your SmartPhone.
Here are links for Windows Phone, Android or iOS.
Below is a QR-Code that will take you to the Apple Store for Apple IOS App
Note: This code is ONLY to get the App - don't scan this QR-Code from within the app!
- After you install the app, SKIP the first screen (if you see this) - DO NOT use the Sign-in or the Scan QR code button here.
- In the Authenticator App on your SmartPhone tap the {+} to add an account (like shown above)
- Select “Work or school account” then select "Scan QR code" - Don't scan the QR-Code above, put your phone aside for a few minutes.
- Back on your PC, if you are not on the Security Info page, click this link again: https://aka.ms/MFASetup
- Here you can setup additional security verification methods.
- Press [+ Add Method] and select "Authenticator App" then [ADD]
- You have already installed the app above so press [NEXT] and [NEXT] again until you see a QR-Code on the webpage.
- Grab your phone again and scan the QR-Code shown on the web page.
- You should see "The Christman Company" and your email address if it was successful.
- Press [NEXT] on the PC.
- The verification method will be tested. Check your phone and accept the MFA prompt by pressing [Approve]
- Press [NEXT] on the PC
- The Authenticator is setup but is probably not the "Default sign-in method".
- Click CHANGE next "Default sign-in method: Phone - call +1 your-number" (unless the default sign-in method is already "Microsoft Authenticator - notification"). If it says that, you are done and can close your web page tabs.
- Change the default method to "Microsoft Authenticator - notification"
- Now you are done, you can close the web page tab.