Set up Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) on the Client Portal

With the prevalence of bad actors online, we highly recommend adding an additional layer of security while communicating with your lawyer in the Client Portal by activating 

Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). You may also have been prompted by your lawyer to set up MFA before being able to view incoming messages.

Table of Contents

• Getting Started
• Setting up MFA on your Authenticator App
• Setting up MFA via SMS
• Setting up MFA Rescue
  • Security Questions
  • Alternate Phone Number
  • Alternate Email Address
  • Rescue Code

Getting Started

The following MFA options are available in the Client Portal: 

• Authenticator App (recommended) 
• SMS 

We also highly recommend setting up at least one of the following Multi Factor Authentication Rescue methods immediately after setting up MFA: 

• Security Questions 
• Alternate Phone Number 
• Alternate Email Address 
• Rescue Code 

This article will guide you through every option listed above.

Setting up MFA on your Authenticator App

With this option, every time you log in to the Client Portal you will be prompted to enter a six-digit code from your Authenticator App on an iPhone or Android device. 

1.    Access MFA Settings by selecting either:

a.    the Set up link on the yellow banner in the Client Portal; or

b.    by selecting your Profile on the top-right corner and selecting Update Security Settings.

2.    Click on the Use Multi-Factor Authentication toggle to begin setup.

3.    The next screen will take you through installing Google Authenticator on your device if you scan the QR Code for your App Store. Select Next if you already have an Authenticator App (we support all Authenticator Apps).

4.    Open your Authenticator App on your device and use it to scan the single QR Code on the screen. If the camera does not work, follow the steps to enter the setup key into your Authenticator App. Then, select Next.

5.    Once your Authenticator App has read the QR Code or setup key, a new entry for signin.communicate.smokeball.com.au will appear in the app. Enter the six-digit code that is currently showing on your app into the field on the Client Portal and select Submit. 

The code will refresh every 30 seconds, so be quick!

6.    Once MFA has been successfully set up, a Green tick will appear on the Client Portal security settings page.

7.    Follow the steps to set up MFA Rescue.

Setting up MFA via SMS

With this option, every time you log in to the Client Portal you will be prompted to enter a six-digit code sent to your mobile number via SMS. 

1.    Access MFA Settings by selecting either:

a.    the Set up link on the yellow banner in the Client Portal; or

b.    by selecting your Profile on the top-right corner and selecting Update Security Settings.

2.    Click on the Use Multi-Factor Authentication toggle to begin setup.

3.    Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and click on Use SMS Multi-Factor Authentication Instead.

4.    Enter your phone number in the Phone Number field and select Next.

5.    A six-digit code will be sent to your mobile via SMS. Enter this code into the field and select Submit.

6.    Once MFA has been successfully set up, a Green tick will appear on the Client Portal security settings page.
 

7.    Follow the steps to set up MFA Rescue.

Setting up MFA Rescue

We highly recommend setting up at least one rescue option immediately after setting up MFA on the Authenticator App or via SMS. This ensures you aren't locked out of the Client Portal if you lose access to your Authenticator App or mobile device. 

Select the toggle next to the rescue option of choice and follow the prompts to set them up.

Security Questions

1.    Choose three security questions from the drop-down menu.

2.    Select Next. 

3.    Enter your answers to the security questions and select Done.

Alternate Phone Number

1.    Enter your phone number in the Phone Number field. Note that if you've set up SMS MFA, you cannot have the SMS MFA phone number be the same as the rescue phone number.

2.    Select Next. 

3.    A six-digit code will be sent to your mobile via SMS. Enter this code into the field and select Submit.

Alternate Email Address

1.    Enter your email address in the Email Address field.

2.    Select Next. 

3.    Check your email inbox for an email from Communicate. Enter the six-digit code in this email into the Verification Code field and select Submit.

Rescue Code

A Rescue Code is a string of letters and numbers that you can record in a safe place (e.g. physical/digital notebook). 

Select the Copy icon and paste this code into your digital storage of choice, or write it down on a physical medium, like a password notebook. Select Done when finished.