Setting up a Security Key for MFA
Setting up a Security Key for MFA
A Security Key is a physical device Passkey that can be used as one of the required Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods for your IWU account.
In most cases, when you create a Passkey as a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method, the Passkey is saved to your personal computer, cell phone, or a cloud service like Google, iCloud, or a Password Manager you use. However, with a Security Key, the Passkey is instead saved to the physical Security Key itself and not a computer, cell phone, or cloud service.
In short, Security Keys are most useful in the rare case where you have no device you can safely create a Passkey on, such as if you have no cell phone and the device you are using is not yours (ex: regularly using a friend's computer or a library computer). In such circumstances, having a physical Security Key set up allows you to still log into your account regardless of not having a Passkey set up on a phone or computer (or not having the Microsoft Authenticator App set up on a phone).
To set up a Security Key:
- On a laptop or desktop computer navigate to the MyIWU Portal Page and sign-in.
- Use your previously setup phone / text / personal e-mail option to sign into your account if prompted for two factor authentication
- Click on your profile photo circle in the upper right corner followed by the 'View account' option.
- Click 'My Account' followed by 'Security info'.
- Click 'Add sign-in method' next to the + symbol
- Choose 'Passkey' from the 'Add a sign-in method' list.
- You should now see the following window. Select the blue 'other options' (or 'try using another device') link.
- Follow the instructions or select 'OK' until you see the following box.
- Insert your Security Key into your device and continue following the on-screen prompts to finish setting up your Security Key.