Okta MFA FAQ
General Questions
What is MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a simple but powerful way to protect your online accounts. It works by requiring two or more forms of verification — like your password plus a code sent to your phone — to make sure it’s really you logging in. Even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account without that second step.
For students, faculty, and staff, MFA is especially important for keeping your school email, classwork, and personal info safe. It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and one of the best ways to stop hackers in their tracks.
What MFA does Clark College Support?
- Okta Verify
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Google Authenticator
- Apple Passkeys
What is Okta Verify?
- Okta Is a Mobile app that adds an extra layer of security when you log into your account. It's part of the MFA process. When you sign in with your username and password, Okta Verify asks you to confirm it's really you, either by sending a push notification to your phone or by letting you enter a code from the app
Can I use Multiple MFA at once?
- Yes! You are able to use Okta Verify or Google Authenticator. Only one will be required to sign in.
What if I lose access to my MFA Device?
- If you lose access to your MFA device, contact the IT support team right away. They can help you verify your identity and reset your multi-factor authentication (MFA) settings. After verification, you’ll be able to set up a device and regain access to your account. It's important to act quickly to prevent any disruptions to your access
Can I still use SMS and phone calls to login?
- SMS and Voice call authentication will sunset under the new changes. Moving forward, this method will no longer be supported.
Okta Questions
Does Okta use my phone data and will I be charged?
- The Okta Verify app is free to download. However, receiving push notifications may consume data depending on your mobile plan. Connecting to our student Wi-Fi when on campus or a home or public Wi-Fi network can help you avoid this.
- If you’re concerned about data usage, you can also use verification codes, instead of push notifications, from the app, which works offline and doesn’t use any data at all.
I took too long to sign in, and it timed out what do I do?
- If your login session is timed out, don’t worry. It’s a common security feature. Just go back to the sign-in page and start the login process again.