Private Email

MFA - Multi-factor Authentication

 This is a guide to managing multi-factor authentication for TDS Webmail.

screenshot of private email login for webmail

You have two options for enabling multi-factor authentication:

  • text message
  • MFA app

Screen Shot private email webmail MFA options setup

To use text message authentication:

This option uses your phone number to receive a code that allows you to access your Webmail.

  1. Log in to your webmail.
  2. When prompted to Choose Your Multi-Factor Authentication Method, select Get A Text Message.
  3. Enter the phone number you want to use.
  4. Enter the code sent to your phone in the verification field and click Verify Code.

A message stating You have successfully set up Multi-Factor Authentication will display.

To use a multi-factor authentication app

Mobile apps for authentication enable you to manage MFA for multiple accounts in one place without having to provide your phone number.

  1. Log in to your webmail.
  2. When prompted: Choose Your Multi-Factor Authentication Method, select Use an Authenticator.
  3. Link your mobile device by following the instructions on Securing Your Account with an Authenticator App screen.
  4. The last step displays a message stating You have successfully set up Multi-Factor Authentication.

After enabling multi-factor authentication:

Logging in to Webmail

Once you have enabled MFA, use the following steps to log in to your Webmail:

  1. Log in to your Webmail using your email address and password.
  2. Enter the verification code from the SMS text message or authentication app.
  3. Select the appropriate option for Remember This Device.
  4. Click Verify My Code.

Enable or disable multi-factor authentication

Your email account defaults to multi-factor authentication configured as optional. You can enable or disable multi-factor authentication in your account settings.

  1. Log in to your Webmail.

  2. Open the Webmail settings page, at the top right of your screen, and select Security.

  3. Toggle the Multi-Factor Authentication setting to the On or Off position.

    1. When selecting On, the system displays the setup screen if you don’t have password recovery enabled.
    2. If you have password recovery enabled, the system will use the authentication type configured for password recovery.
    3. If you select Off, multi-factor authentication is immediately disabled.

screenshot of multifactor authentication security settings in private email-png

Resetting multi-factor authentication

If you want to change your authentication method or set up a new device, you can reset by:

  1. Log in to your Webmail.

  2. Open the Webmail settings page and select Security.

  3. In the Authentication Type section, click Reset.

Managing multi-factor authentication on linked devices

If you access Webmail from multiple devices, you can manage which devices are trusted and no longer require a prompt for multi-factor authentication when logging in. You can also remove devices from the trusted list.

  1. Log in to your Webmail.

  2. Open the Settings page and select Security.

  3. In the Trusted Devices section, you can see a list associated with your email account.

You can remove devices that you do not recognize or no longer use by clicking the trash icon.

  • If you remove a device from the Trusted Devices list, you must use multi-factor authentication when you next log in to your Webmail on that device.

 

Private Email Webmail Settings Security consoleDoes multi-factor authentication work?

"Based on our studies, your account is more than 99.9% less likely to be compromised if you use MFA."

Alex Weinert, Group Program Manager for Identity Security and Protection at Microsoft.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE - Cyber risk cannot be eliminated, only mitigated. There are risks associated with using MFA, and it is important to know and understand these risks. For a detailed report, please see this article by our partners at KnowBe4:

https://blog.knowbe4.com/how-you-can-be-more-at-risk-with-mfa

 

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