2-Factor Authentication (2FA) FAQs

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your ECUAD account by requiring two or more pieces of evidence (or factors) before allowing access to a service. Verifying your identity using a second factor (like your phone or other mobile device) prevents others from accessing your accounts, even if they know your password.

The strongly suggest you install Microsoft Authenticator App on your mobile device, as it provides the most secure and convenient 2FA experience. 

Most digital services and applications that you interact with at Emily Carr will require 2FA.

First, visit our 2FA Setup Guide article to register your account.

Then, learn how to sign in using 2FA. The process is easy, and the same for all university services.

No. The Microsoft Authenticator app has a time-based passcode option built in. This lives on your phone and does not require an Internet connection. To use this alternative 2FA method instead of your default method, follow the steps below:

• On the Microsoft sign-in window, when prompted to open your MS Authenticator and approve the request, click the “I can’t use my Microsoft Authenticator app right now” link.
• Next, click “Use verification code from my mobile app”
• On your mobile device, open the MS Authenticator app and tap the account you are trying to login to.
• A 6-digit code will be displayed – enter this code into the Microsoft sign-in window.

Helpful tip – this code automatically changes every 30 seconds, and there is a little timer next to the code to let you know how long until the code expires. Wait until a new code appears so that you have the full 30 seconds to enter the code into the sign-in window and for the code to be verified by the system.

If you have registered an alternative 2FA method in addition to the Microsoft Authenticator App, you can also choose to use that method during the sign-in process instead.

While ITS has tried to find a balance between security and convenience (meaning you do not necessarily get prompted to sign-in to your account every time you access an application or service), you must always be prepared to satisfy a 2FA challenge.

Every time you sign-in to a ECUAD application or service which uses our Microsoft Single Sign-On Service. In other words, whenever you enter your ECUAD email address and password in the ECUAD/Microsoft Azure sign-in windows.

Because ECUAD utilizes a "Single Sign-On Service", the number of times you are prompted to sign-in from within the same web browser or on the same device is greatly reduced. This means that the number of times you are prompted with a 2FA challenge is also greatly reduced. However, you should always have your 2FA method on-hand and at the ready so that you are not caught off guard.

• If you still have access to at least one existing registered 2FA method and can login to your ECUAD account, just go to the 2FA Setup page aka.ms/mfasetup and click the + Add Method button.
• If you do not have access to your ECUAD account or any previously registered 2FA methods, you will need to contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.
• If your 2FA method (e.g., phone) is lost, stolen, or damaged, please report it as such to the IT Service Desk as soon as possible so that they can deactivate it.
• If you previously registered an alternate, or backup, 2FA method (e.g., tablet, iPad), you can continue to sign-in using that method. You can also use your backup method to gain access to your account and register a new 2FA method when you obtain a new phone.

• IT Services provides full support for Microsoft Authenticator App and we strongly recommend that download it for free from the App store. 
• Microsoft is phasing out support for SMS (text) authentication as of Sept 15th, 2023
• Staff and faculty who cannot use a phone should contact IT Services to get set up with an alternate method
• If you would like to use an alternative authenticator app (e.g. Google or other Software Tokens providers), please note that IT Services can only provide limited support, generally focused on Microsoft Authenticator.

No.  Some users may be prompted to add a credit card to their Apple account when attempting to install free apps such as Microsoft Authenticator on an iPhone. We will be providing more detailed instructions shortly on how to opt out of this step.

Microsoft Authenticator is completely free, but please be careful not to confuse it with 3rd party paid authenticator Apps that may be available in your app store. When you get the original Microsoft Authenticator from the App store, it will look like the screen shot below. Please make sure that the developer says "Microsoft" and it is called "Microsoft Authenticator", as shown below: