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Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

All Gmail accounts within the Ramapo domain are required to have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled. This mandatory security measure adds a critical layer of protection to your personal information.

What is 2FA?

2FA (also known as Multi-Factor Authentication or MFA) ensures that you are the only person who can access your account. It works by requiring two distinct forms of identification.

  1. Something you know: Your Password
  2. Something you have:Your mobile device (phone or tablet).

How it Works

When you sign in to your Ramapo email, you will receive a prompt on your mobile device via the Gmail app. Simply tap to approve the login.

Security Alert:
Only approve a login prompt if you are currently signing in to your account. Never authorize a login attempt you did not initiate, as this could mean someone else is attempting to access your account.
  • Trust Your Devices: If you are on a personal computer or phone, you can select “Trust this device” during login. This ensures you won’t be prompted for 2FA every time you sign in from that specific device.
  • Public Computers: For your security, never trust a public or shared computer (such as those in the library or computer labs).
  • Platform Independent: The setup process is identical whether you are using a PC, Mac, iPhone, or Android device.

Why it Matters

If a malicious actor discovers your password, they cannot access your account without physical possession of your mobile device.


Guide for iPhone

To enable Google 2FA on your iPhone device, you will need to download the Gmail app from the App Store. We recommend this over the native iPhone mail app in general for user features and security.

Gmail App on Apple App Store

How to Install Gmail App

Once the app is installed and your account has been added, tap on the hamburger icon in the upper left. This will open the side bar. Scroll down and select “settings”. Select your account at the top, and tap on “Your info, privacy, and security”. This will take you to your Google account settings.

Google Account Settings screenshot

From there, tap on the Security tab. There it will show you recommended settings and other information about your account, devices, etc.

Scroll down to “Signing in to Google”, you will see a sub-selection that says “2-Step Authentication”. If it’s on already, you’re all set. If not, tap on it and it will take you to the 2FA options.

Gmail 2FA Options Screenshot

Here are the options it gives you for 2FA:

  1. Google Prompts– This will send you a push notification to the Gmail (or other Google app) to confirm the person logging into your account is you. For those of you with VPN access this is similar to the way Duo Mobile has you approve authentication. This is the default option Google recommends. (NOTE: This may not be available if you do not have other Google apps on your device, if this is the case, it will default to the Voice or Text Message option below)
  2. Voice or Text Message – You can have an SMS message with a code sent to your phone, or you can receive a phone call confirming authentication.

Once you have selected your preferred method, 2FA will be enabled, and you will be all set. You may need to close and open the app to verify. You will get a confirmation email to your Ramapo Gmail account stating that 2FA is active, as well as a Google Security Alert email indicating that a new device has logged into your account.

If you require any assistance setting up 2FA, please reach out to the Ramapo ITS Help Desk by phone at 201-684-7777, by email at helpdesk@ramapo.edu, or in person on the 4th floor of the Learning Commons.

Guide for Android Devices

To enable Google 2FA on your Android device, you will need to download the Gmail app from the Google Play Store. We recommend this over the native Android mail app in general for user features and security.

Link to Gmail on Google Play Store

How to Install Gmail App

From the main inbox screen, tap on the hamburger icon in the upper left. This will open the side bar. Scroll down and select “settings”. Select your account and tap on “Manage your Google Account”. This will take you to your Google account settings.

Android 2fa Screenshot

From there, tap on the Security tab. There it will show you recommended settings and other information about your account, devices, etc.

Scroll down to “Signing in to Google”, you will see a sub-selection that says “2-Step Authentication”. If it’s on already, you’re all set. If not, tap on it and it will take you to the MFA options.

Android 2fa settings screenshot.

Here are the options it gives you for 2FA:

  1. Google Prompts– This will send you a push notification to the Gmail (or other Google app) to confirm the person logging into your account is you. For those of you with VPN access this is similar to the way Duo Mobile has you approve authentication. This is the default option Google recommends. (NOTE: This may not be available if you do not have other Google apps on your device, if this is the case, it will default to the Voice or Text Message option below)
  2. Voice or Text Message – You can have an SMS message with a code sent to your phone, or you can receive a phone call confirming authentication.

Once you have selected your preferred method, 2FA will be enabled, and you will be all set. You may need to close and open the app to verify. You will get a confirmation email to your Ramapo Gmail account stating that 2FA is active, as well as a Google Security Alert email indicating that a new device has logged into your account.

If you require any assistance setting up 2FA, please reach out to the Ramapo ITS Help Desk by phone at 201-684-7777, by email at helpdesk@ramapo.edu, or in person on the 4th floor of the Learning Commons.

Guide for Desktop

To enable 2FA on your account from a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc) head to g.ramapo.edu and log into your email.

From your inbox, click on your profile icon in the top right.

Gmail screenshot showing profile icon

Then, click on “Manage your Google Account”:

This will open a separate tab and take you to your Ramapo Google account settings.

Here, you will see a side bar menu with several options. Click on the Security . There it will show you recommended settings and other information about your account, devices, etc.

Scroll down to “Signing in to Google”, you will see a sub selection that says “2-Step Authentication”. If it’s on already, you’re all set. If not, click on it and it will take you to the MFA options.

Gmail Security settings screenshot

Here are the options it gives you for 2FA:

  1. Google Prompts– This will send you a push notification to the Gmail (or other Google app) to confirm the person logging into your account is you. For those of you with VPN access this is similar to the way Duo Mobile has you approve authentication. This is the default option Google recommends. (NOTE: This may not be available if you do not have other Google apps on your device, if this is the case, it will default to the Voice or Text Message option below)
  2. Voice or Text Message – You can have an SMS message with a code sent to your phone, or you can receive a phone call confirming authentication.

Gmail Desktop 2FA Options screenshot

Once you have selected your preferred method, 2FA will be enabled, and you will be all set. You may need to close and open the app to verify. You will get a confirmation email to your Ramapo Gmail account stating that 2FA is active, as well as a Google Security Alert email indicating that a new device has logged into your account.

If you require any assistance setting up 2FA, please reach out to the Ramapo ITS Help Desk by phone at 201-684-7777, by email at helpdesk@ramapo.edu, or in person on the 4th floor of the Learning Commons.

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