Setting up Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for Office 365

Protecting your personal information, as well as our students’, requires everyone’s help. A key step in securing our accounts is using Multi-Factor Authentication (sometimes also known as Two-Factor Authentication). This means having multiple ways to prove to our system that you are, in fact, you. While hackers or bad actors may have access to one method of getting to your accounts, such as your password, they are unlikely to have two different ways, such as your password and your cell phone. You may be used to MFA or TFA through secure systems such as your bank or financial institution. While MFA will require some setup on your part, it’s a crucial part of our efforts to keep the UPrep community safe from Identity Theft or other cybercrime.

Thank you for your cooperation as we move our accounts to MFA.. Please email support@universityprep.org with any questions or concerns.
 

To begin the process, the IT department will set your account to move to MFA on a specific date. You should have received email notifying you of this date. 

On the specified date:

  1. Please go to http://login.microsoftonline.com/ and log in using your UPrep email address and password.
    If you entered your phone number during the password reset registration, your phone number may already be associated with your account. If your number is already associated with your account, Microsoft may automatically call you.

  2. You should see this message. Click Next.

  3.  In the next screen, you will be asked to provide a phone number. This number will be used to call or text you a code in order to verify your logins. The most common strategies are to use a cell phone, either by call or by text, or to use “Call Me” with your office phone. However, please note that if you provide your office phone, you may not be able to receive this code if you are trying to log in away from your desk.





  4. In the next screen, type in the verification code that was texted to you or that was read on the phone call. You can have the code resent by clicking “Resend Code” or go back to specify a different number. After entering the verification code, click Next.

    You should receive a Success message after entering the code. Click Next.

  5. The final screen shows Success and lists the default sign-in method

Your account is set up for MFA and is more secure!

We also recommend confirming (and perhaps changing) your default sign-in method. Microsoft assigns phone call as everyone’s default authentication method, even if you first authenticate through a text. 





To change your default sign-in method:

  1. Log in at https://myaccount.microsoft.com/. (You may already be logged in!)

  2. Click on Security Info (or Update Info)

  3. Click on Change

  4. In the box that pops up, select either call or text and click Confirm.

    You can also select Add Method to add an additional authentication method like email or the Microsoft Authentication app. Here are directions for additional methods you may choose to set up.