Stetson Multi-Factor Authentication
What is Multi-factor Authentication?
When a system attempts to determine that you are who you claim to be, that is referred to as authentication. There are three methods, or factors, by which you can be authenticated. One factor is something you know, such as a password. Another factor is something you have, such as your mobile phone. A third factor is something you are, such as your fingerprint. When more factors of authentication are used together to access security-sensitive university services, the authentication process is more reliable and the level of assurance of your identity is greater, leading to better security.
MFA provides an extra layer of security
Activating MFA Verification boosts protection of your account from hackers. We are all used to having one layer of security — our password — to protect our accounts. With MFA, if bad guys get through the password layer, they will still need your phone or other second verification methods to get into your account.
If you receive a verification request on your phone that you didn't prompt, you'll know that someone is trying to access your accounts. You will deny that request and then work with the Stetson Help Desk to reset your password and secure your account.
Protecting the University is a team effort
On our campus and at universities across the country, phishing emails are very common. All it takes is one person to click on a bad link and unknowingly share their credentials for a domino effect of compromised accounts to quickly proliferate across campus. MFA Verification can help keep bad guys out, even if they get your username and password through a phishing attempt.
Your credentials are valuable to criminals
When bad guys steal your username and password, they have the ability to lock you out of your account, and then do any or all of the following:
- Access and use your identity information
- Pretend to be you and send unwanted or harmful emails to campus
- Go through — or even delete — all of your emails, contacts, files, etc.
MFA keeps both you and the University safer by adding an extra layer of security to the sign-in process.
Keeping you Safe with the Authenticator App
For all Microsoft services (email, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.) use Microsoft Authenticator.