Teacher Training & Help - Video Training, How-To Documentation
With 2-Step Verification (2SV), also called two-factor authentication (2FA) or multifactor authentication (MFA), you can add an extra layer of security to your account in case your password is stolen.
To enable 2-Step Verification, sign in to your FNESU Google account and click your profile button. That’s the circle in the upper right of the screen that generally displays as your first initial, or account picture if you have set one.
From the menu that pops up, click Manage your Google Account.
From the Google account settings menu select the Security Tab.
Scroll down to the “How you sign in to Google” section and click the Arrow in the “2-Step Verification” row.
You should now be at this 2-Step Verification screen. The next step will be to decide which authentication method you want to use. To start off, you’ll either need to use an Authenticator app on your cell phone, or enter a phone number for either text or voice messages. Once you have one of those set up, you’ll then have the option to add secondary methods, including printable codes.
Authentication Options
Here’s a quick summary of the authenticator options we currently have available. Read through them, choose one of the first three options, then move on to the instructions below for the option you want to start with.
Authenticator: There are several free authenticator apps available for both Android and iOS . For this tutorial, we’ll be using Google’s offering. Once an authenticator has been set up, you simply open the app to view the current code when needed. It will even work if your phone is offline.
Text Message: This is the common type of authentication many sites use, where users receive a text message with a verification code when needed. Keep in mind that your phone will need to have a signal in order to receive text messages, which can be a challenge in some of our schools.
Voice Message: With this option, you’ll receive a phone call with an automated voice speaking the code. You could choose to use a cell phone or a school phone. If you want to receive calls on a school phone, it’s probably best to use the direct number to that phone rather than the school’s main number. If you do not wish to use a personal cell phone for authentication, you can choose this option initially to get things set up. Then you can choose whether to keep using this option, or switch to using printable codes.
Backup Codes: With backup codes, you can pre-print 10 single use codes to use as your main authentication method, or as a backup option in case your primary option is not available. You can return to the backup codes screen to reprint, check how many you have remaining, and get more as needed. Note that this is a secondary option, so you won’t be able to utilize it until after you have set up one of the three options above.
Authenticator
If you would like to use an authenticator, start by clicking the arrow in the authenticator row and following these steps:
If you do not have an authenticator app installed on your phone, start by downloading and installing the Google Authenticator from the Google Play Store or iOS App Store, as appropriate.
Once you have an Authenticator app installed, back on your computer, click the “Set up authenticator” button, and a QR code will appear.
Using the authenticator app on your phone, click the + and choose the option to scan a QR code.
Use your phone to scan the QR code.
On your computer, click Next, then enter the code that showed up in the authenticator app.
Click the blue “Turn On” button.
Now, click the blue “Turn on 2-Step Verification” button to complete the setup.
When prompted for a code in the future, simply open the authenticator app to get the current code. Note that the code constantly changes, so writing it down for future use will not be an option.
Text Message
If you would like to receive authentication codes via text message, make sure you phone has strong enough signal in order to receive texts and follow these steps:
Click the blue “Turn on 2-Step Verification” button.
Enter your phone number, including the area code.
Make sure the “Receive codes by text message” radio button is selected.
Click Next.
You should now receive a text message with a code. Enter the code where prompted on your computer.
Click the Verify button to complete the setup.
When prompted for a code in the future, a new code will be texted to you. Simply enter the new code when prompted. Note that codes are single use, so you will need a new one every time you are prompted for one.
Voice Message
If you would like to receive authentication codes via voice message, make sure you have a number that rings through directly to a phone (does not go to an automated menu) and follow these steps:
Click the blue “Turn on 2-Step Verification” button.
Enter your phone number, including the area code.
Make sure the “Receive codes by voice message” radio button is selected.
Click Next.
You should now receive an automated call from Google telling you your code. Enter the code where prompted on your computer.
Click the Verify button to complete the setup.
When prompted for a code in the future, you’ll get a call with a new code. Simply enter the new code when prompted. Note that codes are single use, so you will need a new one every time you are prompted for one.
Backup Codes
If you would like to use pre-printed codes as your authentication method, remember that you need to complete one of the steps above first. These codes can be used as your primary authentication method, or as a backup option in case your primary option is not available to you. Once you have set up one of the three options above, you’ll see Backup Codes has appeared as a new option on the 2-Step Verification page. Click the arrow in the Backup Codes row and follow these steps:
Click the “Get backup codes” button.
Click the “Print codes” button.
Select a printer and print the codes.
As Google mentions, keep the codes somewhere safe but accessible.
When prompted for an authentication code in the future, simply choose one from your sheet and enter it where prompted.
Note that the codes are single use, so you’ll want to cross off the ones you have used.
Repeat this process to get new codes as needed.