MFA – Multifactor Authentication with Microsoft Authenticator

 This change does not apply to you if you use a phone call or a one-time login code as your primary authentication method for the University’s Microsoft services.

Multifactor Authentication improves information security by making scam attempts more difficult for cybercriminals. You can choose to ask authentication requests every 90 days per device to avoid receiving the requests continuously.

You must enter the number displayed in the login window into the smartphone application instead of pressing the accept button when you authenticate with the Microsoft Authenticator application (push message). 

Read more about the change in the news article on Flamma.

    • When you log in with a new device to a University service that uses MFA identification using your own University credentials (for example, OWA e-mail on your browser, Outlook e-mail on your phone or tablet), you will receive an authentication request. The same message is sent every 90 days. 
       
    • Open the Microsoft Authenticator on your smartphone.
       
    • Enter the number displayed on the smartphone screen in the app and click on Yes
       
    • If you are not logging in to any service and you receive a login request from the Microsoft Authenticator app, first check the devices you have previously logged in to. It may have been 90 days since some of the applications were last authenticated. 
      If you cannot find a device that is waiting for authentication, select No, it’s not me. This sends a notification in the system. 

    See the Detailed help tab for illustrated instructions

    Download the right App

    Make sure you download the right program. You can identify it by the name ´Microsoft Authenticator´. 

    Authenticating with Microsoft Authenticator

    When you log in with a new device to a service that uses MFA identification using your own University credentials (for example, OWA e-mail on your browser, Outlook e-mail on your phone or tablet), you will receive an authentication request.

     

    Open the Microsoft Authenticator on your smartphone.

    You may receive a notification on your phone about a pending approval request: Approve sign-in?  You may also click on the notification to open the application.

    The image shows the notification on both an Android and an iPhone:

     

    You can choose to receive the request every 90 days for the application. Check the box next to Don’t ask again for 90 days. Enter the numbers displayed on the smartphone screen in the app and click on Yes to authenticate. 

    When you have entered the correct number on the device, you can open the application that is waiting to authenticate. 

    I am not trying to log in, but I still receive notifications from the Authenticator app

    If you are not about to log in to any service and you receive a login request from the Microsoft Authenticator app, take the following steps:

    • Check the applications you are logged in to with your University ID on all your devices (mobile devices, laptops). It may have been 90 days since your latest authentication to an application, and it is now requesting authentication.

    Please note that you do not have to authenticate, you can also close the Microsoft Authenticator app without replying. 

    If you checked the applications on your devices but could not find a device or an application that is waiting for authentication, select No, it’s not me. This sends a notification in the system. This notification alone does not cause any action, but if you suspect that you have become a victim of phishing, please contact IT Helpdesk immediately. 

    Microsoft Authenticator does not work

    I have an old work phone that does not support the latest version of the Microsoft Authenticator app. What should I do?
    If you have an old work phone with an operating system that is no longer supported (older than Android 8 or iOS 14), and you are unable to install the latest version of the Microsoft Authenticator app from your app store, make a purchase request for a new work phone, following the phone purchase instructions (Flamma)

    We recommend buying a new phone, but you can also use other authentication methods to avoid replacing your phone.
     

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