Bridgewater State University requires all new user accounts to have additional security verification to deter account compromisation. This additional security measure is sometimes referred to as multi-factor authentication or MFA. MFA is a way to validate who you are with something you know (your password) and something you have (your phone). You are not required to provide additional security verification when you are connected to BSU networks on-campus. Below are the steps to guide you through how to configure MFA using your choice of either Microsoft Authenticator app (path b) or SMS text (path a).
1. After signing in to your BSU emails for the first time (from off-campus) at https://outlook.office.com/, you are presented with a "More information required" screen
2. When you see the "Microsoft Authenticator" screen, choose your preferred MFA method, SMS text on the left, authenticator app on the right
| Non-Authenticator Path (path a) |
Microsoft Authenticator Path (path b) |
| 3a. Verify Phone is selected, click Confirm |
3b. Go to the App Store and install Microsoft Authenticator app onto your phone, click Next |
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| 4a. Enter your mobile number, click Next |
4b. Open Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone, allow notifications, add account, select "Work or school", then use your phone to scan the QR code on your computer screen, then click Next |
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| 5a. Enter the 6 digit code from your text, click Next |
5b. Click Approve when you see a notification on your phone |
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| 6a. SMS verified, click Next |
6b. Notification approved, click Next |
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| 7a. Success, click Done to get to your emails |
7b. Success, click Done to get to your emails (if you see More information required screen again, click Next, then click Done) |
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