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IT25b - MFA Setup Guide ShortCourses

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances security for Cranfield user accounts, requiring an additional authentication method beyond just a password. Users can set up MFA via SMS or the Microsoft Authenticator app, with detailed instructions provided for both methods. If unauthorized login attempts are detected, users should not accept the request and should contact the IT Service Desk immediately.

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13 views5 pages

IT25b - MFA Setup Guide ShortCourses

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances security for Cranfield user accounts, requiring an additional authentication method beyond just a password. Users can set up MFA via SMS or the Microsoft Authenticator app, with detailed instructions provided for both methods. If unauthorized login attempts are detected, users should not accept the request and should contact the IT Service Desk immediately.

Uploaded by

mrkarubato
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Multi-factor

authentication (MFA)
Helpsheet IT25b

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security for your


Cranfield user accounts, ensuring secure access to online resources such as the Canvas
VLE. Even if an attacker manages to access your password (e.g. via a successful
phishing attack) it is useless to them without also having possession of the additional
authentication method that you have configured.

Cranfield uses the ‘Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication’ system and once the signup process
is complete, you will start to see prompts when you are logging into Cranfield applications.

You will be asked to authenticate the first time after setup, but not every time. If you access
Canvas via a web-browser rather than mobile app, you will be prompted to authenticate
regularly on your computer and you will always be prompted on a computer you are using for
the first time. You will never be prompted for multi-factor authentication during the normal login
to your computer.

Once configured, if you receive a prompt for a log-in attempt that you did not initiate, this is a
sign that someone else is trying to obtain access to your account. Do not accept the request
and contact the IT Service Desk immediately.

Follow the steps in this helpsheet to set up MFA via SMS text messaging.

Authenticating via SMS text message


To authenticate using codes sent by SMS text message, ensure you have a computer and a
smart phone with you, as you will need both to complete the setup process.

Open a web browser on your computer and follow these steps:

1. Go to the MFA setup website: https://aka.ms/MFAsetup


2. Sign in with your Cranfield user account and password, which has been sent to you by
your programme coordinator
3. When prompted for more information, click Next
4. In the Microsoft Authenticator setup screen, click I want to set up a different method

Information Services (IT)


5. In the Choose a different method dialogue box, select Phone

6. Select your country and enter your mobile phone number, excluding the leading ‘0’
7. Select Text me a code, then click Next

8. You will receive a six-digit code on your mobile phone, type this in the Enter Code box
on your computer screen, click Next, and then click Done

To view or change an authentication method (e.g. to update a mobile phone number) log in to
www.office.com, click your picture or initials in the top right corner and select View account >
Security info.

Information Services (IT)


Authenticating via authenticator app
You can also use an authenticator app to manage the additional authentication. Once set up
the authenticator app will automatically prompt you to approve a log-in attempt. The supported
authenticator app at Cranfield is Microsoft Authenticator*, available from both Apple and Google
app stores. This app is completely self-contained and does NOT have access to other
information on your mobile phone, including any of your personal apps, photos or other
personal details.

The overhead on your data plan is very low and, in most cases, where you are trying to access
your University account you will have access to WiFi with no data impact. The app can also be
used to provide authentication in locations where you do not have a phone signal as it
continuously generates secure pass codes.

To enrol your account, ensure you have a computer and a smart phone with you, as you will
need both to complete the setup process.

* If you wish to use an alternative authenticator app, on the MFA setup screen, click ‘I want to
use a different authenticator app’, open your preferred app and scan the QR code displayed.

On your smart phone


Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app from your device’s app store.

On your computer
Open a web browser on your computer and follow these steps:

1. Go to the MFA setup website: https://aka.ms/MFAsetup


9. Sign in with your Cranfield user account and password, which has been sent to you by
your programme coordinator
2. When prompted for more information, click Next
3. In the Microsoft Authenticator setup screen, click Next

Information Services (IT)


On your smart phone
Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smart device and follow these steps:

1. Ensure you allow notifications and skip any offers to add home/other accounts until
you are prompted to add a Work / School Account
2. If prompted, allow the app to use your camera/take pictures and record video
(this enables the app to capture the QR code that will be displayed on the computer
screen shortly)

On your computer
Display a QR code and then scan it with your mobile phone.

1. Click Next to generate a QR code


2. Scan the QR code using your mobile phone
3. On your computer, click Next
4. Approve the authentication request when it appears on your smart device screen
5. Once complete, click Next
6. You have now registered your primary MFA method, click Done and you will be returned
to the Security info page.

Troubleshooting
 If you can’t scan the QR code on your device, click Can’t scan image? located below
the QR code on your computer screen. This will display a numeric code and URL for you
to enter manually into the authenticator app on your smart device.

 If you experience a problem setting up the authenticator app, uninstall it from your smart
device and re-install from your app store.

 If your internet browser gets caught in an authentication loop, either:


o close all browsers on your computer and start a fresh session by going to
https://aka.ms/MFAsetup

Contacting us
For further information or assistance using Multi-factor Authentication please contact us.

IT Service Desk, Building 63


 +44 (0)1234 75 4199
[email protected]
Updated May-2021

http://servicedesk.cranfield.ac.uk

Information Services (IT)


Our skilled support staff are available to help Monday - Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM

Information Services (IT)

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