What Is MFA?
Before MFA, you only had a password for your accounts. If someone got hold of your password (an authentication factor), this person could use your username and password to impersonate you. If the system would request a second or third unique factor, taking over your account is a lot harder. There are 3 factors of authentication:
- Something you know: your password
- Something you have: your (smart)phone
- Something you are: your fingerprint
As you can see, with MFA just stealing your password will not be enough to take control of your account. All Cobleskill students, faculty, and staff will set up their MFA the first time they log into their Cobleskill Email account. If you lose your device and can not authenticate yourself, ITS can assist you with getting back into your account.
How To Setup MFA
when you first setup your account, you can access this link -> webmail.cobleskill.edu, this will take you to your Cobleskill email where you can configure MFA for the first time. When arrive at the site, enter your cobleskill email and Password that was configure at the Mylogon Portal - >apps.cobleskill.edu/MyLogon. Once you have entered your login information you will get a message stating "More information is required", see image below:
Once you click next you will be redirected to another screen that will prompt you to begin configuring your MFA, see image below:
1. Click Next Twice and you will be brought to a screen with a QR Code.
2. Download the authenticator app,
3. Accept the privacy agreement terms.
4. Select "Add work or school account".
5. select "Scan a QR code", and you should be able to use your camera to scan the QR code.
6. After scanning you will be brought to a screen that will have you test the authenticator app, follow on-screen instructions and hit next.
7. Once done you should be brought to a page shown below:
If you do not want to use the authenticator app you can select "I want to set up a different method" which will give you the option to use a cell phone number, see image below.
Once you select Phone, you will be brought to a screen that will give you an option to input your phone number and select the method you would like to receive the code. Once you have completed the setup you will be prompted with this screen.
It is highly recommended to use the authenticator app for now and then configure your cell phone number and/or additional methods to authenticate to prevent locking yourself out.
What Other Options Can I Use?
When authenticating via MFA, you have options to receive a call or text that would provide you with a code that must be inputted to authenticate you. Sometimes there are issues with receiving these codes due to lack of cell service, to avoid this, it is highly recommended to install the authenticator app or configure google voice. This way you have multiple methods to authenticate, if one method does not work; the authenticator app and google voice require Internet only access, does not require mobile data.
Please see the links below regarding configuring the authenticator app and google voice.
Configuring the authenticator app:
https://cobleskill.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/277/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10755
Configuring Google Voice:
https://cobleskill.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/277/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10754
What Happens If My Phone Does Not Work?
If you have lost your phone or device and can not authenticate, please request this service and enter the requested information. You will be contacted by the ITS security office to verify your identity.
If you still have access to your device but plan to replace it with a new device, please review the following instructions in the link below on how to update your MFA options:
https://cobleskill.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/277/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10757