Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication

Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

William & Mary's uses Microsoft's multi-factor authentication service. It provides an additional level of security to prevent unauthorized access to a variety of systems.  Multi-factor authentication helps protect against increasingly sophisticated security threats, like phishing, and thwarts unauthorized use of your login credentials. 

We support the following multi-factor authentication methods within Microsoft. We recommend everyone configure at least two methods. You can manage your authentication methods by going to https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo.

• Microsoft Authenticator App
• Passkeys
• SMS codes
• Phone Calls
• Codes from other MFA Apps (eg. Duo, Google Authenticator, Okta)

Setup Microsoft Authenticator

More detailed instructions from Microsoft are also available.

Steps for setting up the Microsoft Authenticator App

1. Install the Microsoft Authenticator App on your mobile device (iOS | Android)
2. Go to https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo at Microsoft. If you are a new user, once you have signed in you should be prompted to start the Microsoft multi-factor onboarding process.
3. Once the app is installed select scan a QR code. If you have used Authenticator the + / qr code icon in the bottom right of the application.
4. Click Next
5. Scan the QR code displayed on your screen with the Authenticator App.
6. Once you've scanned the QR code and the account has been added to the Authenticator App you will be shown a number to verify in the Authenticator App.
7. Success!

Setup Other Authenticator Apps

To use a different authentication app to generate codes for Authentication, go to https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo, click on the plus to add an authentication method and select Microsoft Authenticator. Make sure to click on the "I want to use a different authenticator app" link and follow the instructions (this link might be small and easy to miss).