How do I add, delete or change my Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) security methods?

Download and use an authenticator app to get either an approval notification or a randomly generated approval code for two-step verification or password reset. To set up the Authenticator App verification method, please complete the following:

1. Visit http://methods.northwood.edu
2. Sign in using your Northwood Credentials
3. Select Add method to set up an additional security methods
4. Choose the Authenticator App method
5. Download the app from the app store on your mobile device
6. Click Next once you've downloaded the app
7. Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile Device
8. Select Add Account > Work or school account
9. The QR scanner will open, use it to capture the QR code that appears on the "Keep your account secure page"
10. Click Next
11. Now that the app has been configured, the site will ask you to test it to verify that the app is connected to your account
12. It will send a push notification to your Microsoft Authenticator app where you'll match a number
13. The Microsoft Authenticator app is now configured and verified
14. Microsoft Authenticator will now show your device name under your Security Info list

NOTE: To prevent getting locked out of your accounts, keep the Microsoft Authenticator App on your device and setup multiple security methods below.

Some devices have been set by users to delete unused/inactive apps after a select period of time. If your device is set up this way, turn off this setting to prevent deletion of the Microsoft Authenticator App, which might fall into the "unused" category if you checked the box for MFA to remember you for 90 days.

Enter your phone number to get a phone call or a text with a code you'll use for two-step verification or password reset. To set up a phone verification method, please complete the following:

1. Visit http://methods.northwood.edu
2. Sign in using your Northwood Credentials (if you haven't already signed in)
3. Select Add method to set up an additional security methods
4. Choose Phone, Alternate Phone or Office phone
   • NOTE: We recommend that you choose the cell phone option as the primary choice for your security information as your phone number will not be shared or used for any purposes besides resetting your NU password. Please do not use “Alternate phone” as the primary choice, this option should only be used as a backup option.
   • FACULTY/STAFF - (Please do not use your Northwood desk phone number as an authentication option). Some Northwood Staff/Faculty may see their NU phone number populated once they sign into their SSPR profile. It will not be used as an authentication option.
5. Enter a 10 digit number

• Select text me a code to receive a 6-digit code via SMS to verify your phone number -- Enter the code on the webpage to proceed

1. Select Next
2. After verifying your phone number, select Next
3. Click Done
4. Your phone number method will now display under your Security Info list

Enter a non @northwood.edu email address to get an email for password reset. To set up an email verification method, please complete the following:

1. Visit http://methods.northwood.edu
2. Sign in using your Northwood Credentials (if you haven't already signed in)
3. Select Add method to set up an additional security methods
4. Choose Email
5. Enter a non-Northwood email address (i.e. @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, etc)
6. Click Next
7. Retrieve and enter the authentication code from the inbox entered above
8. Click Next
9. Your email address will now display under your Security Info list

Choose security questions to reset your password. To set up security questions verification method, please complete the following:

1. Visit http://methods.northwood.edu
2. Sign in using your Northwood Credentials (if you haven't already signed in)
3. Select Add method to set up an additional security methods
4. Choose Security Questions
5. Select 5 unique questions and input answers underneath each question
6. Click Done
7. Your security questions method will now display under your Security Info list

Northwood University Information Technology offers ONE (1) hardware MFA Token for staff and faculty who do not have a smart phone to use as their primary MFA security method. 

You may request to check-out a MFA token by using this service request form. Once a request has been submitted, Northwood IT will register your Microsoft-compatible MFA token and use it along with a PIN for two-step verification or password reset. New MFA token requests are typically processed within 1 business day (Monday – Friday). Once processed, you will be notified when the token is available for pickup.

If a token is lost or stolen you will be charged for a replacement.