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Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires you to provide two or more pieces of evidence to authenticate your identity.

How do I set MFA off-campus

To set up MFA off-campus:

  1. Open a new web browser session with no other tabs running, or an incognito browser session. You don’t need to use the University of Otago's VPN Service to access Microsoft 365 online when you are off-campus.

Setting up Microsoft 365 to use MFA

  1. Go to the Microsoft 365 sign-in page and click the Sign in button.
  2. Enter your University email address, then press the Next button.
  3. Enter your University username and password, then click Sign in.
  4. If you are presented with a choice of accounts to sign in to, select Work or School account.
  5. In the More Information required window, press the Next button.
  6. In the Keep your account secure window, click on the Download now link.
  7. This will bring up the Get the app on your phone window displaying two QR codes, one for the Google Play store for Android phones and one from the App Store for iOS phones. Leave this window open and get your mobile phone.

Downloading and installing the Microsoft Authenticator app

  1. Hold your phone camera over the QR code for your phone type displayed on your computer to scan it. The QR codes for the Microsoft Authenticator app are also available online
  2. Follow the instructions in the app and on your computer to install the app on your phone.
  3. Once the mobile app setup is complete, click the Next button on your computer.

Approving notifications in Microsoft Authenticator

  1. Follow the instructions on the Set up your account window and those that follow. You will be asked to allow notifications, and you may need to input the numbers shown on your screen into the app to approve the notification a couple of times to confirm the link.
  2. You may be prompted to sign in to Microsoft 365 again. Signing in will send a notification to your phone to approve. Approve this by entering the number into the authenticator on your phone.
  3. When prompted, you can tick the box to stay signed in to Microsoft 365 while your computer is on.
  4. You will see a page showing that you have successfully set up the security features. Click Done, then you can close this tab and return to Microsoft 365.

Remember that your phone will always need mobile data or wireless/Wi-Fi switched on and notifications enabled for the Microsoft Authenticator app so that it can receive the notification when you are signing in to Microsoft 365.

The following video on the Microsoft website will help guide you through the steps:

Set up Multifactor Authentication (MFA) video

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