MFA FAQ’s
Do I Need to Enroll in MFA at Trinity?
- All Trinity faculty, staff, and students are required to set up MFA for their Trinity-provided account.
- All other members of the Trinity community with access to online Trinity resources are strongly encouraged to enroll in MFA at Trinity to protect their data. If you would like to opt-in for MFA, please complete this online request form.
How Do I Use MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication at Trinity is designed to work with your existing devices and network connections. We support the following devices/methods:
- Push notification via Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone or tablet
- Voice calls to a cell phone or landline
- Hardware token
The Microsoft Authenticator app is free and downloadable from your cell phone’s app store (e.g., iTunes or Google Play). Learn more from Microsoft’s website. We strongly recommend setting up multiple methods but using the Microsoft Authenticator app as your primary MFA method. It will work anywhere – whether you have a cellular signal or not. Here is a video on how to set it up once installed.
How do I change my MFA information? (I have a new phone, a new phone number, etc.)
Log in to the Manage Multi-Factor Authentication page from a computer and change your MFA settings. You can also watch a video on how to manage Microsoft’s Multi-Factor Authentication. Note that for new cell phones, even if you copied over your data and apps from the previous phone, you will still have to log in to the Manage Multi-Factor Authenticator page, delete the old Microsoft Authenticator method linked to your old phone, and add a new Microsoft Authenticator method and configure it with your new phone.
What do I do if my device with Microsoft Authenticator was lost or stolen?
If you’ve lost or had your mobile device stolen, you can take either of the following actions: Sign in using a different method. Ask the LITS desk to clear your settings. After your settings are cleared, you’ll be prompted to register for Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication the next time you sign in. Be prepared to validate your identity to request clearing of your settings.
When Will I be Prompted for Multi-Factor Authentication?
You will be prompted for MFA if your authentication appears risky. Signing in from a new location or signing in from some VPN services are some factors that may trigger the additional MFA authentication.
What if I’m Required to Enroll and Don’t?
You will not be able to access web applications using your Trinity logon until you have enrolled. To learn how to enroll in MFA now, visit the “How Do I Enroll in MFA” page.
Can I use my current authentication app instead of Microsoft Authenticator?
Trinity recommends and supports Microsoft Authenticator for use with Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). Some 3rd party authenticator apps may also work with Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication. However, Trinity cannot guarantee compatibility or support if you use a different authentication app.
What if I Don’t Want to Use my Smartphone?
If you prefer not to use your personal smartphone, or you don’t own a compatible device, don’t worry; there are alternatives. You can choose to enroll and receive a call your cell phone, or you can receive a call to your landline. In exceptional cases, departments might be able to provide you with a hardware token.
What if I lose my phone but still have a backup to put onto a new phone?
The app does not backup when you backup your phone. You can create backups in the app itself however you will need to have a separate Microsoft account in order to backup the app.
What Do I Do if I Cannot Access any of my MFA Options?
If you are unable to access any of your MFA options and are being prompted to verify authentication, please contact the Library & IT desk for assistance.
The guides below can be followed to set up and configure MFA for your account if it has been enabled for you. If you do not have MFA access on your Trinity account, please request it here.
Set up 2-step verification for Office 365
Setting up Security Info on Sign-in Prompt
Setting up Security Info Upon Login (Video Guide)
Outlook Application Generate App Password Setup
Microsoft My Account (View Your Account)
Microsoft My Account (Video Guide)
Microsoft Manage Security Information (Video Guide)
Set up Authenticator on a new phone (Video Guide)
Other Common Problems With Microsoft Multifactor Authentication
You can also set up MFA on your own personal accounts. Which the college recommends. Google, Apple, Microsoft, and a host of other companies all support MFA. You can find a list of websites that offer MFA by visiting here.
