Help - Securing your account using multi-factor authentication (MFA)

As an additional layer of security, the Document Search application requires multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA protects your account by requiring two forms of verification before accessing Document Search: your password and a temporary verification code.

Requirements

To receive your temporary verification code, you need to download an authenticator app to your smartphone. These apps securely generate your temporary verification codes, allowing you to log in to Document Search. Some popular authenticator apps are listed below. These apps are free to download and use:

Google Authenticator (Android, iPhone)
Microsoft Authenticator (Android, iPhone)
Duo Mobile (Android, iPhone)
Authy (Android, iPhone)
FreeOTP (Android, iPhone)
AuthWin (PC Desktop)
KeePassXC (PC Desktop)
Ente Auth (Android, PC Desktop, iPhone)

Please note that Dutchess County does not own, endorse, or support any specific authenticator application.

Enrolling in MFA

When logging in, Document Search will automatically attempt to enroll you in MFA if you are not already enrolled. Follow these steps to complete enrollment:

Log in using your email and password.
On the "Secure Your Account" screen, scan the QR Code using the authenticator app of your choice. If you are having trouble scanning the QR Code, click "Trouble Scanning?" and enter the code on screen into your authenticator app.
- Tip: If prompted, give the account in your authenticator app a name such as "DCNY Online Account - youremail@example.com". This will make it easier to find for future login attempts.
Complete verification by entering the code from your authenticator app and clicking "Continue".
- Note: You do not need to remember/save this verification code for future logins. Your authenticator app generates a new code every 30 seconds. You will always need to enter the current code to login.
On the "Almost There!" screen, copy the recovery code and save it to a secure location. In the event you lose access to your authenticator app, you will use this recovery code to log in. Click "Continue" to complete enrollment and log into the application.

On future logins, you will not be prompted with a QR code. Instead, you will select to authenticate with "Google Authenticator or similar" and enter the code from your authenticator app to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I do not have a phone or a mobile device. How do I enroll in MFA?

If you do not have a phone or a mobile device, you can download an authenticator app directly to your computer/laptop. Some examples of authenticator apps for your computer/ laptop are listed under Requirements section above.

I lost access to my phone/authenticator app. How do I log in?

If you are unable to log in because you have lost your phone or otherwise lost access to your authenticator app, you can log in using the recovery code generated when you initially enrolled in MFA using the instructions below:

Log in using your email and password.
On the “Select a method to verify your identity” screen, click the option for “Recovery Code”.
Enter the recovery code that you securely copied from the last time you enrolled in MFA and click “Continue”.
You will then be presented with a screen containing a new recovery code. Copy this code and store it somewhere secure. Then, check the box on screen and then click “Continue” to log into the application.

I lost access to my phone/authenticator app or I want to change my authenticator app. How do I re-enroll in MFA?

If you want to re-enroll in MFA complete the following steps:

Log into Document Search. If needed, use the steps outlined in the FAQ "I lost access to my phone/authenticator app. How do I log in?" section.
In the upper right hand corner of the screen, click your email then click My Account
Under the "Account Security" section, click the button that says "Reset MFA". Read the alert and then click "Ok".
Log back into the application using your email and password. You will be automatically be prompted to re-enroll in MFA. For help, refer to the Enrolling in MFA section above.

I lost access to my phone/authenticator app and my recovery code. How do I log in?

In the event where you lost access to your authenticator app and your recovery code, you will not be able to log into the application and must create a new account.