Multi-factor authentication
Large companies and organisations are exposed to cyber attacks every day. In fact, attacks have doubled in recent years and the education sector is affected by over one in ten attempts to breach IT systems.
To raise the security level of our IT environment for students and employees at Uppsala University, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be required to log in to the student email and other services in Microsoft M365.
What is MFA and why should I care?
Multi-factor authentication is a security method that requires users to verify their identity through multiple independent means before accessing a system or service. It can be something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a mobile phone) and something the user is (like a fingerprint or facial recognition).
Uppsala University primarily recommends the mobile app Microsoft Authenticator for MFA. To be able to install the app, you need a compatible mobile phone. If you don't have a compatible mobile phone, you can instead identify yourself via a browser using a web browser extension such as authenticator.cc for Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I get a new phone?
If you have lost or replaced your phone, the old phone must first be unlisted for use with Microsoft Authenticator. You do this by contacting itsupport@uu.se.
Then you need to install and activate Microsoft Authenticator in your new phone by following the instructions further up on this page.
What do I do if I have deleted the Microsoft Authenticator app?
If you have deleted your Microsoft Authenticator app, you first need to unlist your phone by contacting itsupport@uu.se.
Then you need to reinstall and activate Microsoft Authenticator again by following the instructions further up on this page.
How often do I need to log in using MFA?
MFA for services in M365 uses a dynamic control method based on how your account is used. It analyses and predicts whether your account has been attacked and is being used for unauthorised access. In reality, this means that you need to log in more often if you change computers or network connections, but less often if you follow a similar login pattern every day.
Where can I get help if it won't work?
Start by reading through the instructions to activate MFA for your Microsoft account using a mobile phone or browser.
If it still doesn't work, contact itsupport@uu.se or call 018-471 44 00.