How do I use multi-factor authentication?

1 Introduction

Hacker attacks are regularly reported and universities have become a popular target for IT attacks in recent months. In order to significantly increase the security of the systems and thus also the protection of your data, multi-factor authentication – MFA for short – is being introduced at FH JOANNEUM. You may be familiar with this system from online banking, credit card payments, PayPal payments, etc.

In preparation for the activation of the MFA, it is necessary to specify an authentication method that can be used to verify the identity. For this purpose please use the following link >> https://aka.ms/mfasetup <<

A choice can be made between an authentication app (Microsoft, Google, certified third-party) and the phone as the medium. A later change of the authentication option is also possible directly via the link.

Important note After the initial setup, your identity must be verified at regular intervals, either with the "Authenticator App" variant or with the "Phone" variant. For this reason, the "Authenticator App" must NOT be uninstalled anymore.

2 Version “Authenticator App” (for your smartphone)

If you want to use an Authenticator app, please note the following:

1. Open the link https://aka.ms/mfasetup

2. Log in for authentication using FH mail address & password. The following window will open. Click on “Next”:

3. You will be prompted to install (“LADEN”) the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone. (Any other certified third-party authentication app can also be used).

Note: If the app has already been installed on your device, it may be necessary to delete the FH account already entered in it, otherwise you will not be able to perform the next step (scanning the QR code). This applies, for example, to the FH iPhones that have already been issued and managed.

4. If an Authenticator app is available on your smartphone, click Next:

5. Allow (“Erlauben”) the notifications through the app on your smartphone and select “Business or school account” (“Geschäfts- oder Schulkonto”) on the smartphone to integrate the account (in the Microsoft Authenticator app). If the selection does not show up automatically, you can find it after clicking on the + icon on the top right. Click on “Next” on the PC / notebook:

6. Select “Scan QR code” (“QR-Code scannen”) in the Authenticator app on the smartphone and hold the camera on the QR code on the MFA setup screen. Then click “Next”:

7. In the course of the setup, the approval process must then also be tested once to ensure that the app responds correctly to requests. Follow the instructions of the MFA setup and confirm (“Genehmigen”) the login via the app on your smartphone:

8. Once you are presented with the “Overview / Security Info” page, the process is complete:

IMPORTANT NOTE Once the registration process has been carried out with the "Authenticator App", this app must NOT be uninstalled!

3 Version “Phone”

Note: Unlike the app, this variant sends you an SMS or a call, which is used for further authentication.

If you want to use SMS or call, please note the following:

1. Open the Link https://aka.ms/mfasetup

2. Log in for authentication using FH mail address & password. The following window will open. Click on “Next”:

3. Click on the link (“I want to set up a different method”) at the bottom of the first dialog box:

4. Select “Phone” from the drop-down menu and confirm with “Confirm”:

5. You can now choose from 2 options:

Receipt of an SMS (with 6-digit code)
- Note: SMS can only be sent to mobile devices.
Call and confirmation (by using the # key)
- Note: The call can also be sent to the landline number in the office. If this line is diverted to a mobile terminal, the call will be correctly routed there.

Again, after selecting the appropriate method, a run-through of the MFA process is started. If this is completed successfully, you will return to the “Overview / Security Info” page of your account.

Help

In order to answer your inquiries as quickly as possible, the helpdesk is at your disposal.
If you have any questions, please contact helpdesk@fh-joanneum.at.