In this article, you will see how to accept an invitation to setup an Azure Guest Account.
First of all, make sure that you have installed the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device and that you have received the invitation in your email inbox. If you intend to use SMS or phone call for Authentication the process is the same.
You can complete the authentication process from a desktop computer, but you will need to have your mobile device handy.
- Click Accept invitation.
- You will be prompted to confirm your login to the email account you were invited to.
- After you sign with your credentials, this dialog will open to confirm the data you will share with Vistatec. Please read carefully and click Accept.
- Wait for your login to be processed.
- This dialog box is warning you to register Azure Multi-Factor Authentication. Click Next.
- On the Security Verification Page Select your preferred authentication method and then follow the prompts on the page. As of Sept 2018 there are 5 options available
- Call my authentication phone
- Text code to my authentication phone
- Call my office phone
- Notify me through app
- Use verification code from app
Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages compared to the others. Do not choose “Call my office Phone”.
Call my authentication phone
With this method, Microsoft will place an automated call to the user’s mobile phone when they try to log in. The user will be prompted to press the # key on their phone to allow the login to continue. If they were not trying to log in, they can press a different key to report a fraudulent login attempt.
Advantage: Instant verification from anywhere.
Disadvantage: Requires cell reception and may incur mobile costs.
Text code to my authentication phone
A code is texted to the user’s mobile phone when they try to log in. The user can either respond to the text or type the code into the authentication interface.
Advantage: Call does not need to be answered immediately.
Disadvantage: Requires cell reception and may incur text messaging costs.
Call my office phone
This method is similar to Call my authentication phone, but instead the user’s office phone is called. This method is able to dial extensions.
Advantage: User won’t incur mobile phone costs.
Disadvantage: User has to be at their desk.
This option is well-suited for users who will only log in to Office 365 from their desk, or as a backup method for when a user forgets their mobile phone at home.
Notify me through app
When the user logs in, they receive a notification through the Authenticator app on their phone. They respond by clicking a button in the app to verify the login attempt.
Advantage: Does not require reception or incur text messaging costs.
Disadvantage: Requires that the phone be connected to the internet.
Use the verification code from the app
When the user logs in, they will be prompted to enter the code displayed in the Authenticator app on their phone. This code changes every 30 seconds based on a cryptographic algorithm and does not require network connectivity.
Advantage: The user can authenticate from anywhere, regardless of internet or telephone connectivity.
Disadvantage: A slight reduction in security, as there is no instant notification of a fraudulent login attempt as with the other methods.
- We recommend using the Authenticator App (smartphone required), as the easiest method, but this requires an Internet connection (Wifi or Mobile data) at the time of authentication to work. The App is called “Microsoft Authenticator App” in the Store.
Installing & Configuring the Authenticator App
Back on your PC choose one of the App options from Step 4 above and then check the box next to Authenticator app, and then select Configure.
The Configure mobile app screen appears with a QR code ready for you to scan with the authenticator app on your smartphone.
Go ahead and install the Microsoft Authenticator App now on your smartphone. After installation follow the on-screen prompts choose work or school account and enter your work email address xxxx.yyyy@vistatec.com. Choose to allow the app to view picture or videos as you will need to scan the QR Code from your PC screen, then use your smartphone to scan the QR code on your PC screen, and then select Done to close the QR code screen on your smartphone.
Note: If your camera isn't working properly, you can enter the QR code and URL manually.
The Accounts screen of the app shows you your account name and a six-digit verification code. For additional security, the verification code changes every 30 seconds preventing you from using the same code twice.
Choose Save on the computer screen to save your info.
Using simple SMS Text or Call me options instead
- If instead you prefer to use the Call or text my phone option then pick the relevant option from Step 4, and then check the box next to Authentication Phone, choose the correct country and enter your mobile number (paying attention that it is correct format e.g. for Irish Mobile it would 87 1234567 and not 087 1234567 as the international dialling format is +353 87 1234567
- After you verify your alternate contact method, choose Save or Next.
- Enter your password, then enter the code you received to your mobile, click on “Sign in another way” to choose another way to verify your identity
- Enter the code, then click on verify.
To add or change your preferred authentication method log into https://myapps.microsoft.com
Click on your name at top right, choose Profile, click on Additional security verification and change your method as described in this document and click on Save.