Have you ever received an email from VA that prompts you to open it with a one-time passcode or a secure web link? These steps mean that the email has an extra layer of security applied to protect your sensitive information.
Protected emails are easy to open!
To open a protected email, all you need to do is follow the prompts. For example:
- If you open an email and see a “Read the Message” prompt, select it. You will have the choice to enter your email account login information, or you can select the “Sign in with a one-time passcode” link.
- If you use the passcode method, the screen will refresh with a field to add a passcode, which is sent in a separate email. When received, return to the pop-up screen in your browser and enter the passcode in the designated field and select “Continue.”
It’s that easy! Visit VA’s Accessing Protected Emails from the Department of Veterans Affairs webpage for additional guidance about accessing emails with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo and more.
VA uses this type of email protection to safeguard VA and Veteran data from privacy breaches and cyber threats while preserving data confidentiality.
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I had tried to login did everything and still can’t so i give up just delete my account I’ll go back to snail mail and telephone.
E-mails? I still get postal mail with my full social security number, as well as other personally identifiable information from the VA. I have asked them to stop but they keep sending them. So enough with the “VA cares about your data…” They don’t.
Lucky to get an email or any correspondence from VA.
I can’t remember the last time I got a personal email from the VA. The VA Redlands tell me they have been trying to get ahold of me???? So what happen to not just email but phone or USPS???? They just don’t want to help me. :>(
1) Never click on a link in an email. Go to the main site and log in there.
2)2FA is vulnerable to interception. Authenticator apps that generate a code every 30-60 seconds on the phone are more secure. Looking forward to more orgs replacing 2FA
Since the change in the sign on process, I am unable to get into any of my information with the VA. I cannot get the system to accept my drivers license.
The above instructions are great……..if it works. I received an email as described above and after 4 days of trying to open, I gave up. Every time I put in the code that was sent to me, I got a message saying it wasn’t correct. Mind you this was done several times a day for at least 4 days. Never did find out what the email was about.
too confusing for us older vets
The previous commenters are missing the mark about the additional security measures for online correspondence. It is called 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) and is a very important step toward good online security. It is not a matter of “if” you are going to get hacked but “when”. It’s not inconvenient once you get used to it. I use 2FA on every account where it is available. But a comment to VA – sending the one-time password to the same email where you sent the secure message doesn’t do anything to increase security. You are sending both to the same place! (All 2FA that I use sends the code to your phone over text as a second means of transmission to ensure security.) Again, it’s not that complicated once you do it a few times. That said, for all my VA correspondence I use the secure messaging feature on the MyHealthNet website to communicate with my docs. It’s easy and I have never had a problem. (They send you an email that you have a secure message, then you login to the VA website to read it.) If setting up your VA account is the issue (you have to go through IDme for authentication) get someone to help you – they accept multiple forms of ID (passport, military ID), not just a drivers license.
I believe that it is unnecessary to send a secure message just to tell me the date/time of upcoming meeting.
I’ve just read some of the comments below, and decided to scroll back up to see if I could post again. Im borderline computer savvy, so I understand the frustration. But security is unfortunately justified, and the number of changes made by the administration can be confusing. I breathe a sigh of relief when I accomplish my goal. But importantly, the security is justified. You don’t realize it till you’ve been compromised. It’s a hell of a mess. I’ve taken to putting a pencil and notebook beside my computer, and jotting down the steps. I also know that family and friends feel proud when they can help you. Sorry this is so wordy. Hang in there.
That’s very good information. Thank you.
Very helpful. Thanks. A lot of us are not (including me) are not to sharp on the computer. JHelp is always appreciated.
I never get emails anymore because I can’t use the new sign on. It requires verification of my identity and does not accept drivers licenses from the State of Louisiana. This is laughable. It is now a worthless system for me. I can only contact my facility by phone or in person.
As you can tell by previous comments, most of us vets from the old days think your complicated way of communicating with us stinks like day old smegma.
I agree with most of the people comments. The message is so cryptic that I’m always thinking it’s a scam.
I consider myself fairly computer competent, but it’s a nightmare trying to get one of these messages and I usually end up calling the center who walks me through the procedure each time. If that sensitive, use paper and send a letter telling me what’s going on.
Funny this item appears after I have received four emails saying I have secure messages, but I have to go through the Hades of setting up a secure account for reading the messages. I am close to a VA service center in Omaha, Nebraska. Is there anyone there that can obtain the secure messages for me? I don’t mind driving there if I can retrieve the messages. I tried setting up a security account, and, as I say, it’s pure Hades trying to set up such an account. I would think the VA can do better than this. If I’m required to set up such an account, I’m afraid I’ll just have to keep wondering what the secure messages are about.
is there any way to receive the passcode as a message because the passcode will automatically populate if the original message was opened on the mobile.
WHY so complicated????????????? Security????????? Sent by email?????????????? You gatta be jiveing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Start over
I tried opening what was sent me I was never able to open it I called and the operator said she could send it to me being I am 81 years old, in the mail that was 6 weeks ago I haven’t heard anything , so thanks for nothing !!!
This system is not easy for non computer savvy elder users. Common sense tells me that there are ,say 1.5 million Carl Hardens in the US, and only one Carl Hardens @yahoo.com ,with password,so where is the security there. Next i have to wait for a security code that has my email address and password. Again useless to elderly with no backup. Email required, SECURITY, not , web site????
Thanks for the info.
Hang in there and keep up the good work. (be cool)
I HATE those one time access codes that they send on top of putting in your password. I’m sick and tired of this B.S. I don’t give a damn about security, because I provide my own security if people want to mess with me.
No, it’s not that easy and all these double triple layers of security are ridiculous. Also, you keep changing who you use my healthy, Vet. Etc. it’s hard to know where you’re getting to especially if you have used another VA facility southern Tuscon sucks. I came from Spokane and I thought it was supposed to be the worst one because of the transition of the computer system however they are way better than Tuscon and again it’s not easy to get into any of your medical information or messages appointments seem to be the only thing they care along with vaccinations or something like that