MyBell and Bell Email MFA/2FA access

[StevieB]

 I understand the need to implement login verification on the web.  All good.  However it completely baffles me that your system requires a successful text-based authentication to my Bell mobile phone, and then immediately requires an additional e-mail based verification.  This is ridiculous, useless, and a waste a time.  Not even my bank makes me jump through that many hoops for a simple login.   Once again Bell you are demonstrating you are more interested in showing off and spinning your wheels just for the sake of it, rather than focusing on the actual customer experience.  I login to my Bell account often, and this has become such a source of irritation that I'm considering switching to Rogers.  So, my question is, can you setup my account so that I'm not forced to double verify myself when I log in!!??

[dks]

Thanks for your thoughts. The Government of Canada through the Communications Security Establishment Canada has established the Cyber Safe web site, a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online. One of those steps is MFA security. Unfortunately there are bad people in the world and what we might call annoyances are necessary. 

[Multi Frustrated]

I made the mistake of opting into multifactor authentication via text message and now found that it doesn't work. No text messages are arriving to provide me with a 6-digit code. I can't find a way to change it to an email backup. So I no longer have access to email on my laptop. Fortunately the email on my cellphone still works.
After 2 failed attempts at help yesterday I now have to wait 24 to 48 hours for a return call for tech support. Am I really the only person with this problem? No once else seems to have listed it as an issue.

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome.

You can choose to select: "Keep me logged in" on the opening Bell webmail login page. This will eliminate your requirement to login each and every time you access your webmail using the same browser. This will only work if your browser privacy settings are not set to clear your, cache, cookies & passwords when your browser is closed.

I would also recommend that you setup a secondary email address for MFA authentication in your Access security settings on Bell webmail: https://webmail.bell.net/ (You can setup & use a secondary email address, such as Gmail or Microsoft Outlook. Bell email addresses are not permitted.)

Setting up Bell email : Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

If you setup your email account on an email client, you will bypass MFA authentication for email access only.

Depending on the device you are using, (computer, tablet, etc.) a quick fix that may solve your problem would be to use an email client such as Microsoft Mail, Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Safari Mail, Samsung Mail, etc.

You can configure Bell email to work with email software using either POP or IMAP settings. I recommend using IMAP because it provides useful functions, such as syncing your folders and messages across multiple devices.

Add your Bell email account to any one of these free email clients and you will no longer need to enter the MFA security code when using the email client. (MFA security code entry will continue to be a requirement if you choose to access your email account with a web browser.)

Using Bell email : Bell email features

Setting up Bell email (MFA)

Take care

[WWB]

Can I change the frequency with which the system kicks me out of my email and makes me log in again?  Since I changed to the multifactor authentication I have to log into my email over and over again throughout the day.  Add that to the 30 other multifactor authentications in the course of the day and I am REALLY frustrated.  

 I am the only person who uses my computer - I don't care if my email stays open all day.   I work form home.   

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome.

Yes, you can manage your Bell webmail logout time by using the "Keep me signed in" option when logging in, which helps prevent automatic idle timeouts.

However, you cannot customize the exact number of minutes or hours for the timeout in the settings. This is controlled and setup by Bell. This not adjustable.

Keep in mind, if your browser Privacy settings are set up in such a way to "Clear browsing data" upon closure, you will need to adjust these settings as well. Ensure your browser is not set to clear cookies every time you close it.

Take care.

[Taavi1]

When I use my main bell.net account on my Tahoe iMac I have to ice MFA to access the email. However, three other Bell accounts I can access without having to open gmail to get the code. On the three iPads which can be used to access Bell mail  no prompts are given. Every device on the home network is protected with Simpatico security, Apple security, google security , and Duck Duck Go no tracking security. I also have a third party Net Barrier and Virus barrier which automatically quarantines malware trying to come through the one open port. I have noticed that banks, the CRA and some apps now require a pass code or key to open software or folders. Why is Bell requiring its own MFA? 

[BellPatricia]

Hey there @Taavi1 

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell community 🙂

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of account security, and has been implemented to improve customer security and reduce fraud.

Have a great day,

@BellPatricia 

[Psych_1967]

I understand that you may call these "annoyances" but for your elderly customers and those with brain injuries or dementia, these are more than annoyances-they are disabling. They are cutting them off from their loved ones-because many of your customers live alone or with people who are unable to help them and they may rely on their adult children, who may live oversees-in a different time zone, to receive codes *for* them, etc. The time difference can be a huge problem. Logistically, it is unreasonable of Bell Canada, or any other email provider to expect those with dementia and cognitive challenges to be able to navigate two factor authentication.