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Multi-factor Authentication

Getting Started with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

What is MFA?

MFA is a way to protect your account and any district resources associated with your account.  This includes all resources that use your district credentials to access.  MFA involves using additional factors, besides a password, to access your account. 

Why is MFA Important?

Whether you realize it or not, account hacking is a huge business all over the world.  Hackers can find your email address easily from many sources, including any web pages where it may be listed (such as a district staff directory).

Back in 2017, Google admitted that hackers stole close to 250,000 Google logins.  When using MFA, even if a hacker gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without that additional factor.  It might alarm you to see every attempt to access your account.   We get thousands of failed login attempts at district accounts every hour.

You can go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/ to see all the attempts to access your account, successful or not. 

****PLEASE NOTE that our location shows up as Houston, Texas.  We have been trying to have our ISP correct this for months, unsuccessfully.  If you see successful logins from Houston, do not be alarmed.

When Will I Get Prompted for MFA?

  • You will not get prompted to use MFA when using your district device on the district wireless
  • When you get an MFA prompt, you can usually click the box next to "Don't ask again for 14 days".  Note that this will stop the MFA prompts for that device for that particular browser.  If you bypass it using EDGE, you will still get prompted if you are using CHROME, unless you bypass that browser as well. 

Will Using My Personal Phone Put Me at Risk

  • Although your phone can be used to receive a text message or to run the Microsoft Authenticator App, these communications are between you and Microsoft.  It is not considered a communication (or record) between you and the District.

Authentication Methods You Can Use with MFA

You can have up to ONE of each of these methods, although you only need one to use MFA

Click here for information on updating MFA methods

Click here for instructions on setting up Microsoft Authenticator app

To review the methods you have setup, create a new one, or modify an existing method, visit:  

aka.ms/mysecurityinfo and sign in with your district account.

Phone

This method can be used to call you and read you a code or send you a text message.  Please note that if you have an extension that cannot be dialed directly, you must choose the OFFICE PHONE method.

  • To add a phone number, click  the  + Add sign-in method link
  • Choose Phone from the drop-down list - click Add button
  • Enter the phone number (with area code) and either choose 'Text me a code' (only use this if you chose mobile phone) or 'Call me'
  • Enter the code that you received in the ENTER CODE box, and click NEXT when finished.
    • If you did not receive a code, click the RESEND CODE link.
  • If you ever get a call or TEXT confirming a sign-in, and it's not from you, change your district password immediately.

Alternate Phone

This method can be used to call you and read you a code  Please note that if you have an extension that cannot be dialed directly, you must choose the OFFICE PHONE method.

  • To add a Phone number, click  the  + Add sign-in method link
  • Choose Alternate Phone from the drop-down list - click Add button
  • Enter the phone number (with area code) and click the NEXT button
  • Answer the phone when it rings.  You will hear "This is Microsoft sign in system.  If you are trying to sign in, press the # key to finish sign in".  Press the # key on your phone.  You should hear "your sign-in has been successfully verified, goodbye".  This is what will happen every time you use this authentication method.
  • When using this method, if you ever get a call with that prompt and you are not trying to sign-in , DO NOT PRESS THE #, and change your district password immediately.

Microsoft Authenticator App

  • This is the easiest of all methods.  When using this method, you must have access to a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet.  You cannot install it on a MAC or Windows device.
  • You must use the Microsoft Authenticator app. For directions on setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app, click here.  

 

Office Phone

This method can be used to call you and read you a code  It will also allow you to use an extension if your number cannot be dialed directly.

  • To add a Phone number, click  the  + Add sign-in method link
  • Choose Office Phone from the drop-down list - click Add button
  • Enter the phone number (with area code).   If applicable, enter an extension and click  and click the NEXT button.
  • Answer the phone when it rings.  You will hear "This is Microsoft sign in system.  If you are trying to sign in, press the # key to finish sign in".  Press the # key on your phone.  You should hear "your sign-in has been successfully verified, goodbye".  This is what will happen every time you use this authentication method.
  • When using this method, if you ever get a call with that prompt and you are not trying to sign-in , DO NOT PRESS THE #, and change your district password immediately.