Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication

Passwords can be easily compromised. MFA immediately increases your account security by requiring multiple forms of verification to prove your identity when signing into an application.

MFA does not need to be requested.

There are no costs.

To make use of MFA you need a:

• UT ICT-account
• Smartphone

For support, please refer to the manuals and FAQ below or contact the Service Desk ICT.

When switching to a new phone, make sure to add it here (select Add method) before deleting the Microsoft Authenticator app on your old phone. 

Set up Multi-Factor Authentication

Open an application for which Multi Factor Authentication is enabled (or click here). Log in with your UT e-mail address (x-account => x1234567@utwente.nl) and password. Next you will see the following message:

Click Next and download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone (Android, iOS)

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone and click Next on the pc. 

Allow the app to access the camera and add an account. Select Work or School and click Next on the pc.

Scan the QR code displayed on the pc with your phone and click Next.

A test notification is sent, please unlock your phone with fingerprint, face, or PIN and approve. If successful, you will see the following message:

Click Next, the Microsoft Authenticator app is configured. Click Done in the next screen to continue signing in.

We advise you to set up a second verification method. You can add an extra method here.

• Click here for the manual for text messages.
• Click here for the manual for phone calls.

FAQ

• Click here for the FAQ.

When switching to a new phone, make sure to add it here (select Add method) before deleting the Microsoft Authenticator app on your old phone. 

Set up Multi-Factor Authentication

Open an application for which Multi Factor Authentication is enabled. Log in with your e-mail address and password. Next you will see the following message:

Click Next and download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone (Android, iOS)

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone and click Next on the pc. 

When prompted, allow notifications. Then add an account,  and select “other account (Google, Facebook, etc.)"

Scan the QR code displayed on the pc with your phone and click Next.

Click Next.

A test notification is sent, please unlock your phone with fingerprint, face, or PIN and approve. If successful, you will see the following message:

Click Next, the Microsoft Authenticator app is configured. Click Done in the next screen to continue signing in.

We advise you to set up a second verification method. You can add an extra method here.

• Click here for the manual for text messages.
• Click here for the manual for phone calls.

For more information see: Add non-Microsoft accounts to the Microsoft Authenticator app

You need a mobile phone with the ability to receive text messages (SMS).

Set up Multi-Factor Authentication

Open the application for which Multi Factor Authentication is enabled. Log in with your UT e-mail address and password. Next you will see the following message:

Click Next.

Select I want to set up a different method.

Choose Phone in the dropdown menu and select Confirm.

Select your country code and enter your mobile phone number. Select Text me a code and click Next.

Enter the code sent to your mobile phone and click Next.

Click Next.

Click Done to continue signing in.

A Multi-Factor Authentication method (app, SMS) must already be set up. You must be in possession of a Yubico Fido2 security key.

Add yubico fido2 security key as authentication method

• Place the Fido2 key correctly in the USB port with the sensor facing up.
• Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com and select Add method. Select Security key and choose Add. Approval may be requested.
• Select USB device and click Next to set the security key. Select Next/OK in the following screens until a PIN needs to be set or entered.
• Create a new PIN code (and remember it!) or enter an already set PIN code. Put your finger on the security key (2x when a new PIN code has been created) and then enter a name.
• Click Done to finish adding the security key.

2-Step Verification (also commonly known as two factor authentication) is an authentication technique in which you require two separate steps to authenticate yourself (i.e. your credentials and a code you receive via your phone). This increases the security level of your account.

Why do you want to activate 2-Step Verification? For certain Google services, like an application specific password (which is necessary to import your student mail into an e-mail client), 2-Step Verification should be activated for your Google account.

Step 1: Select account

• Browse to https://googleapps.utwente.nl/ and login with your student credentials.
• In the right upper corner, click on the Google Account Button (the most right circular button).
• Click on My Account to access your student mail account.

Step 2: My account

• Click on Sign-in & security.

Step 3: Sign-in and security

• Scroll a bit down and click on the arrow on the right of 2-Step Verification.

Step 4: 2-step verification

• Click on GET STARTED.

Step 5: Phone number

• Enter your phone number in the form field. Make sure only you have access to this phone number. Use e.g. your mobile phone number for 2-Step Verification.
• Select how you want to receive the security codes: Text message (SMS) or Phone call
• Click NEXT

Step 6: receive security code

Google will now send you a security code to verify the phone number you entered in STEP 5.

• Enter this code in the form field. NOTE: Security codes are private and should never be shared with anyone, not even UT-staff or Google personnel.
• Click NEXT

Step 7: Turn on 2-step verification

• Click TURN ON to turn on 2-Step Verification.

 Now 2-Step Verification is activated and you are able to generate application specific passwords.

In the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the criteria set for processing special personal data have been tightened. Special personal data is highly sensitive and therefore receives additional protection under the GDPR. Logging in with a username and password is no longer sufficient.
The UT utilises multiple applications within which personal data is processed. The GDPR stipulates that these applications are additionally secured by means of authentication in two steps: MFA.

Programmes may contain data to which others are not permitted access. This may include research data, examination results, or bank account numbers. Passwords can be found out with relative ease, for example when you:

• use the same password for multiple websites;
• download malicious software from the internet;
• accidentally activate incorrect links in a phishing email;
• provide your password to others.

Thanks to additional authentication, the university can exclude information from unwanted individuals, even when they possess your password. For this reason, your additional authentication is for personal use only.

An individual in possession of your password can block access to your account and:

• view or even delete your emails, contacts, and educational or research data;
• masquerade as you and send unsolicited or malicious emails to your contacts;
• use your account to reset the passwords for your other accounts;
• gain access to all information accessible to you, such as student data.

MFA is required for:

• All Office 365 applications for e.g. Teams, OneDrive (except Outlook).
• Self-service Portal
• Planon
• MyHR (AFAS)
• All applications connected to SURFconext
• JAVA applications
• SAML Applications
• My TimeTable
• WiKi
• Employee portal
• Canvas

These and other applications will also be added in 2021.

At the UT, access to UT applications is secured with MFA, for this, you need a mobile for validation. An exception to this is, the digital tests, taken in the Therm and Noordhorst exam rooms on Chromebooks. This exception is because students are not allowed to use their mobile phones during exams.

You can change the MFA settings here.

We have the following tip:

• Use Microsoft Edge as your browser, click on the profile icon at the right side of the address bar and click "Sign In". Then sign in with your work or school account.

If you have a new smartphone due to replacement, loss or theft, you must reconfigure the MFA app. There are two possibilities:

• When switching to a new phone, make sure to add it here (select Add method) before disposing of the old phone.
• If you no longer have access to the (old) device, you can reset MFA through https://mfa-reset.utwente.nl/.

The UT does not require your mobile telephone number, and this will not be requested and/or registered.

If the UT has not provided you with a mobile telephone and you don't wish to use a private smartphone for the MFA, you can obtain a low-budget mobile telephone via the LISA self-service portal. The charges will be covered by the faculty/service department. You will require an OFI number from your organisation for ordering a low-budget telephone.

An internet connection (WiFi/3G/4G) is only required for app installation/activation and number matching. Once it's set you can also use the time-based, one-time passcode in the app.

The app requires camera access to scan a code during installation and use of additional authentication. The app only activates the camera for these purposes.

Tips for successful QR code scanning: 

• Zoom level of PC browser set to minimum 100%
• While scanning, do not hold the device too close to the screen! Make sure that the QR code fills approx. 25% of the screen. Hold the device still!
• Hold your smartphone very still while scanning. Your smartphone may need a few moments for scanning, as the camera must first zoom in on the QR code.
• Ensure that only the QR code is in the frame when scanning.
• Keep any objects, such as your finger, from obstructing the camera during scanning.
• Increase the brightness of your computer screen. This increases the contrast of the QR code, making it easier for your camera to scan.

• Collect your smartphone, if possible.
• In case the organisation has a spare smartphone it can be used temporarily. Go to https://mfa-reset.utwente.nl/ to reset MFA and set it up again.

For Android, click here.

For iOS, click here.

You must re-validate MFA:

• after you have changed from workstation/browser
• after you have changed your password 
• if you did not use your workstation/browser for a period of 90 days

* To reduce the number of approvals in a browser you can use the Edge browser and log in with your UT account.

No.

Yes, you can disable it in the settings in the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info to add or remove a sign-in method.

You can add an extra method here.

Click here for the manual for text messages.

Click here for the manual for phone calls.

During offline use, the Microsoft Authenticator app automatically create an offline code which can be entered on your screen. This allows you to use the additional authentication offline at all times.

No, this is not possible. MFA is for personal use only and cannot be transferred.

If you regularly have to approve MFA messages in a browser, we have the following tip:

Use Microsoft Edge as your browser, click on the profile icon at the right side of the address bar and click "Sign In". Then sign in with your work or school account.

Microsoft has found criminals to use something called MFA fatigue attacks. When criminals have a user's credentials, they usually can't access the account because of MFA. In an MFA fatigue attack, the criminal will try to log in frequently in a very short period.

The criminal expects the user to get weary from the number of requests from the Authentication app. The user might think it is a request generated by his Outlook app or Teams. At one time, the user will confirm the request and give the criminal, unwittingly, access to their account.

The Microsoft Authenticator (shown on the right) will display information about the application and ask you to enter a two-digit number. The Single Sign-On page will give you a number when logging in (as shown in the picture below on the left). After you copy the number, the login process will continue.