Two-factor authentication (also called Multifactor Authentication) is an extra layer of security for your Selkirk College network identity designed to ensure that you're the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password. 2FA significantly mitigates potential damage from Phishing/Credential stealing and Malware. For example, when you access your online banking application you may be required to respond to a text message sent to your smart phone. The text message communicates a code that you need to input into the banking website. This text message is called a “second factor” and is part of TwpFactor (or Multi-Factor Authentication) – essentially a second way to prove you are who you say you are.
First factor is "What you know" Selkirk email and password.
Second factor is "What you have" - examples: a College or personal smartphone with Microsoft Authenticator App installed.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra step added to the log-in process, such as a code sent to your phone, that helps verify your identity and prevent cybecriminals from accessing your private information.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is sometimes called multiple factor authentication. 2FA adds one more step of authenticating your identity making it harder for an attacker to access your data. This drastically reduces the chances of fraud, data loss, or identity theft.
Watch this short video clip for a user friendly learning explanation.
You still can register for 2FA using your College office phone number and extension.
Passwords are increasingly easy to compromise. They can often be stolen, guessed, or hacked — you could be locked out of your account, or you might not even know someone is accessing it. With 2FA, you'll be alerted right away (on your phone) if someone is trying to log in as you.
IT Services has enabled 2FA for select Selkirk College services including Zoom, Microsoft OneDrive, O365 email (via Outlook).
Users will be prompted for 2FA when sign in behaviour changes (signing in from a different location or a different computer) on a rolling 90 day period.
Logging in to any of these services with your @selkirk.ca email address will require 2FA.
- Try a different web browser when registering your Yubikey (Chrome works, Safari does not)
- Reboot your computer and try again
- Try a different USB port (USB ports on the back of your computer are typically better quality)
If you are using your regular computer to access the 2FA enabled platforms - Zoom, Microsoft OneDrive, O365 email (via Outlook) you may not be required to authenticate each time you log in. Your primary device is directly associated with your account, and requiring to authenticate may be infrequent, however, anytime you use another device to log into one of these services you will be required to authenticate.
