Users of all Microsoft products have experienced a significant change with the introduction of Microsoft Authenticator. It encourages users in organisations that rely on SMS or voice for MFA to register and use their Two Factor Authentication process instead.
This change took effect on the 10th of July 2023. Users have been urged to install the app and follow the process to securely log on to their Microsoft 365 products. However, this prompt can be skipped three times before becoming mandatory.
If you are still wondering about the importance of Two Factor Authentication or Multi Factor Authentication, check our latest video on it.
How can you prepare for this change within Microsoft?
Please encourage your users to stop using SMS and voice for MFA. In certain cases, you may be able to exempt some of your users for now if they need more time. You can exclude these users by signing in as a Global Administrator or Authentication Policy Administrator and navigating to Azure AD > Security > Authentication methods > Registration campaign. You can also contact your Support Team to do it for you.
In order to fulfil this requirement, you need to download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on a mobile device. Microsoft itself provided a guide on how to use it.
EPX's quick guide to set up MS Authenticator:
Step 1: Open a browser on your computer and go to portal.office.com. Sign into your account.
- Click on Security. The next step is to click on Add Method from your security panel.
- Click on Set it up now.
- Choose Mobile App from the dropdown menu.
- Make sure Receive notifications for verifications is selected. Click on Set up.
Make sure your browser allows pop-ups and wait a moment for a configuration pop-up to appear.
You should see a window on your computer that looks like the image on the left.
Click on Next and follow the steps, but make sure you do not close this window.Step 2: Add your account to Microsoft Authenticator.
- Open the MS Authenticator APP on your phone.
- Choose the Work or school account
- Click on Scan a QR code. If you prefer, you can login using your email and password instead.
- By scanning the QR code, your account will be added automatically to the app and will display a six-digit code.
Step 3: Confirm the activation status on your computer
- Check the pop-up on your computer and click Done
- Wait a moment for the checking activation status text to finish configuring your phone.
- Once complete, you'll be able to click the Contact me button on the right side of your screen.
Step 4: Approve the sign in on your phone
- Now check your phone and you'll see a notication for a new sign in.
- Click on Approve.
Step 5: Finish the set up
Back on the computer, follow the prompts that you might see such as adding a phone number. From now on, whenever you have a new sign in or add your account to an app, the Microsoft Authenticator app will give you a notification for you to Approve.
If you ever need to change the settings or the way you authenticate your login, you can do so by going to your security settings and changing them, like in the images shown below.
Need help with your IT Department?
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