Multi-Factor Authentication: Configure your Mobile Device

Jump to

Definitions

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires the user to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource such as an application or an online account.

Short Message Service (SMS) is a protocol cellular phones use to send and receive text messages.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) refers to the process of running a user desktop inside a virtual machine that lives on a server in the datacenter

Guide Topic

As of October 2023, all TCC students began using MFA to access Office365 applications and other TCC sponsored applications. You need to configure your Mobile device to use SMS for MFA. Microsoft Authenticator, a multifactor authentication (MFA) application that helps verify your identity online for your TCCD accounts. If you have been using TCCD’s Two-Step VPN, you are already familiar with how an MFA works and should be able to install Microsoft’s Authenticator for VDI and other applications.

Students also use MFA when logging into a VDI machine or online VDI at http://cloud.tccd.edu to access their VDI workspace. If you have already configured your @tccd.edu account for Cloud VDI you do not need to proceed with these instructions.

Getting Started

Follow the steps in this document to configure your mobile device to use SMS for Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). The screen prompts are the same when using VDI or Microsoft Office to configure you mobile device.

Have your Mobile device powered on and available.

Set up through My Security Info

  1. Start the Chrome or Edge browser on your desktop, open an incognito window (CTL+Shift+N), and navigate to My Security Info. If prompted, enter your TCCD credentials.
    • Note: Do not use the Internet Explorer browser for this step.
  2. Select + Add Method and choose Phone
  3. Enter the phone number for your mobile device
  4. Choose Text me a code
  5. Click Next
  6. Check your mobile device for a text message that contains your verification code
  7. Enter the 6 digit code from the text message on the computer screen prompt.
  8. Select Next
  9. Click Done when your phone has been registered successfully

Set up throuh Office.com

  1. Start the Chrome or Edge browser on your desktop, open an incognito window (CTL+Shift+N), and navigate to Office.com. If prompted, enter your TCCD credentials. 
    • Do not use the Internet Explorer browser for this step. 
  2. On the next screen review and Accept the Tarrant County College District Terms of Use.
    • If you have previously logged onto the TCC network you will not be prompted to accept the Terms again.
    • To review the Terms, you may need to scroll the window bar to the right.

Set up through VDI

  1. Log onto a VDI device or use VDI online http://cloud.tccd.edu to configure your mobile device. 
  2. Enter your @my.tccd.edu email address, click Next then enter network password, click Sign in.
  3. ​​​Once logged on the prompts to start configuing your mobile device to use SMS will begin.

Setting up SSPR (Self-Service Password Reset)

Please see instructions in the Change your TCC Password article.

Now that your mobile device is configured to use SMS

From now on you will provide Multifactor Authentication for the following. 

  • Logging into a VDI device.
  • Logging into VDI online http:\\cloud.tccd.edu.
  • Logging into Microsoft Office www.office.com or other Microsoft applications.
  • Logging into other TCC applications that needs Multifactor Authentication.

Confirm your MFA Configuration

  1. Visit the My Security Info page
  2. Confirm the options you set up, test options are working correctly by selecting them.
  3. You have completed configuring and evaluating your MFA configuration.

After completing the instructions, if you need assistance call the 24/7 Helpdesk at 817-515-8324 (TECH)

Print Article