Set up 2-step verification (MFA) for Office 365

User Instructions to set up 2-step verification for Office 365

To enhance security we will be adding 2-step verification (also called multi-factor authentication or MFA) to our email system. You will have to set up your account to use it.

By setting up 2-step verification, you add an extra layer of security to your Office 365 account. You sign in with your password (step 1) and a code sent to your phone (step 2).

  1. Sign in to Office 365 with your work or school account with your password like you normally do. After you choose Sign in, you’ll see this page:

First Sign in screen

  1. Choose Set it up now.
  2. Select your authentication method and then follow the prompts on the page. Or, watch the video to learn more.

Choose your authentication method and then follow the prompts on the screen.

  1. Once you complete the instructions to specify how you want to receive your verification code (We suggest Authentication phone and Send me a code by text message), the next time you sign in to Office 365, you’ll be prompted to enter the code that is sent to you by text message, phone call, etc. To have a new code sent to you, press F5.

    When you sign in with 2-step verification, you'll be prompted for a code.

  2. You’ll get an app password that you can use with Outlook, Apple Mail, your Android or Iphone, etc. Choose the copy icon to copy the password to your clipboard. You won’t need to memorize this password but be sure to capture it (take a picture or write it down) because you will not have the opportunity to see it again.

    Image of the copy icon to copy the app password to your clipboard.

Next steps

If you’re using other apps like Outlook on your desktop, you’ll need to to use this app password or you can create a new app password so they can connect to your Office 365 account.

Create an app password for Office 365

An app password is a code that gives an app or device permission to access your Office 365 account.If your admin has turned on set up 2-step verification for your organization, and you’re using apps that connect to your Office 365 account, you’ll need to generate an app password so the app can connect to Office 365. For example, if you’re using Outlook 2016 or earlier with Office 365, you’ll need to create an app password.

  1. Check whether your Office 365 admin has turned on 2-step verification for your account. If they haven’t, when you try to do these steps you won’t see the options in Office 365.
  2. If you haven’t already done so, set up your account to use 2-step verification.
  3. Sign in to Office 365 using your password and verification code.
  4. Choose Settings Office 365 Settings button > Office 365.
  5. Choose Security & Privacy > Additional security verification.

  1. Choose Update my phone numbers used for account security. This will display the following page:
  2. At the top of the page, choose App Passwords.

  1. Choose create to get an app password.
  2. If prompted, type a name for your app password (ex. Outlook), and click Next.

Choose copy to your clipboard.

Choose copy password to clipboard. You won’t need to memorize this password but it will not be able to be viewed again so ensure you capture it before closing.

Tip: If you create another app password, you’ll be prompted to name it. For example, you might name it “Outlook.”

  1. Go to the app that you want to connect to your Office 365 account. When prompted to enter a password, paste the app password in the box.

To use the app password in Outlook

You’ll need to do these steps once.

  1. Open Outlook, such as Outlook 2010, 2013, or 2016.
  2. Wherever you’re prompted for your password, paste the app password in the box. For example, if you’ve already added your account to Outlook, when prompted paste the app password here:Paste your app password in the Password box.
  3. Or, if you’re adding your Office 365 account to Outlook, enter your app password here:

Enter your app password in both Password boxes.

  1. Restart Outlook.

Windows 7 & 8 – Show Hidden Files and Folders

This document will explain how to show hidden files and folders on your hard drive file system.

CAUTION: Windows stores many important settings in hidden files and folders. Do not modify or delete hidden files if you do not know precisely what will happen as a result. We assume no liability for data loss that occurs as a result of this procedure.

Procedure

  1. Access the Control Panel.
  2. Type “folder” into the search bar and select Show hidden files and folders.Win8 Folder
  3. Then, click on the View tab at the top of the window.
  4. Under Advanced Settings, locate “Hidden files and folders.” Select Show hidden files and folders just below that.folderOptions.png
  5. Click on OK.
  6. Hidden files will now be shown when performing searches in Windows Explorer.
    • Note: Hidden files will be greyed out. This is merely to indicate that they are a hidden file. You can still use them as though they were a normal file.

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Comcast New Business Wireless Router Gateway Trouble

Are you having trouble setting up your network using Comcasts new wireless gateway device?  We almost always use our own equipment on a customer site whether it’s a Dell sonicwall or Cisco Device but we rarely get through the install without difficulty due to the ISP incorrectly setting up the gateway.  After going through several frustrating installs we finally found at least 1 technician that actually seems to understand something about routing and identified the settings that very few Comcast technicians seem to know.

The installers can’t seem to make these changes so you will need to contact Comcast Business at Phone Number (800) 391-3000 to begin.

First, You need to tell the technician that you want the device in “Virtual Bridge Mode”  if you’re lucky the second technician you speak with might know what this means.  This should also disable DHCP but make sure you mention that as well.  I also disable the wireless functions since I don’t want anyone piggybacking off my service for free.

Once in “Bridge Mode” you may or may not encounter this next symptom.  On more than 1 occasion we find the internet will work with the static IP assigned to your router but no inbound traffic reaches your device.  This poses a real problem if you host any services onsite such as Remote Desktop (RDP) or Access Anywhere.  Here, you will want to ensure they go into the Advanced Tab under port management and Check Off “Disable all rules and allow all inbound traffic through”

GatewaySetup-Screen-1

Next, Tell the Comcast technician to Visit the Firewall Section under IPv4 and Disable the entire firewall.

GatewaySetup-Screen-2

With over a half dozen installs with these new “Business Gateways” not one went without difficulty due to the Comcast equipment being setup incorrectly.  The technicians are quick to point the finger at your equipment onsite but don’t let them fool you!

All setups and business requirements are different so you may have other needs or security concerns that may require other configurations. If you found this helpful please share!

TMD Technology Services, Inc

 

 

 

How to set up email on an Android phone or tablet

PhoneDroidYou can connect to your Office 365 or other Exchange-based email on an Android phone or tablet. When you set up an Exchange account on your Android, you’ll be able to access and synchronize your email, calendar, and contacts. If you only want to use email, you can set up POP or IMAP email on an Android. If you have a different device, see Phone and tablet setup reference. If you’re having trouble connecting your device after following these steps, see What else to I need to know? at the end of this article.

NOTE If you have an Office 365 email account see Use Office 365 on your Android Phone for detailed information about how to use Office 365 on your phone or tablet.

Set up Microsoft Exchange email on an Android

  1. From the Applications menu, select Email. This application may be named Mail on some versions of Android.
  2. Type your full email address, for example tony@contoso.com, and your password, and then select Next.
  3. Select Exchange account. This option may be named Exchange ActiveSync on some versions of Android.
  4. Enter the following account information and select Next.
  • Domain\Username Type your full email address in this box. If Domain and Username are separate text boxes in your version of Android, leave the Domain box empty and type your full email address in the Username box.

NOTE On some versions of Android, you must use the domain\username format. For example, if your email address is tony@contoso.com, type contoso.com\tony@contoso.com. Your username is your full email address.

  • Password Use the password that you use to access your web Office 365 account.
  • Exchange Server Use the address of your Exchange server. If you’re connecting to your Office 365 email, use outlook.office365.com for your server name. If you are not using Office 365, see Find your ActiveSync server name later in this article.
  1. As soon as your phone verifies the server settings, the Account Options screen displays. The options available depend on the version of Android on your device. The options may include the following:
  • Email checking frequency The default value is Automatic (push). When you select this option, email messages will be sent to your phone as they arrive. We recommend only selecting this option if you have an unlimited data plan.
  • Amount to synchronize This is the amount of mail you want to keep on your mobile phone. You can choose from several length options, including One day, Three days, and One week.
  • Notify me when email arrives If you select this option, your mobile phone will notify you when you receive a new email message.
    Sync contacts from this account If you select this option, your contacts will be synchronized between your phone and your account.
  • Select Next and then type a name for this account and the name you want displayed when you send e-mail to others. Select Done to complete the email setup and start using your account.

NOTE You may need to wait ten-to-fifteen minutes after you set up your account before you can send or receive e-mail.

Find your Exchange ActiveSync server name

If your email program isn’t able to automatically find your Exchange ActiveSync server name, you may need to look it up.

If you’re connecting to your Office 365 email, use outlook.office365.com as your Exchange ActiveSync server name.

If you’re connecting to an Exchange mailbox, but aren’t using Office 365, or if you aren’t sure if you’re using Office 365, follow these steps to look up your Exchange ActiveSync server name.

  1. Sign in to your account using Outlook Web App.
  2. If you’re connecting to an Exchange mailbox, but aren’t using Office 365, your Exchange ActiveSync server name is contained in address bar in your browser when you are signed in to Outlook Web app – -but without the leading https:// and without the trailing /owa. For example, if the address you use to access Outlook Web App is https://mail.contoso.com/owa, your Exchange ActiveSync server name is mail.contoso.com.
  3. If you’re unable to connect to your mailbox using the information earlier in this section, you can try the server name value that displays in Outlook Web App options.
    In Outlook Web App, from the toolbar, click Settings Gear Icon > Options > Account > My account > Settings for POP and IMAP access.

NOTE Although you’re not setting up a POP3 or IMAP account, you’ll use the POP server name to determine your Exchange ActiveSync server name.

  1. Under POP setting, look at the value for Server name.
  • If the Server name value is outlook.office365.com, your account is an Office 365 account, and you can use outlook.office365.com as your Exchange ActiveSync server name.
  • If the Server name value is not outlook.office365.com, you can try using the server name listed on your options page. For example, if the server name is mail.contoso.com, try using mail.contoso.com as your Exchange server name.

That Should Do it!  Email should begin to flow.  You may be prompted to use a password on your phone if your administrator has put those policies in place.

Call TMD Technology Services for additional Computer and Phone Support.

Headquartered in Delray Beach, FL.