Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

UQ takes cyber security very seriously. Not only does MFA help protect your personal information, pay details, research and work, it also protects University information, data and systems.

Passwords are increasingly easy to compromise – they can often be stolen, guessed or hacked. MFA helps keep your UQ account secure and can help you identify if someone else is accessing it. If you receive an unexpected MFA notification, find out what to do.

Watch our video to learn more:

Watch: Why MFA is important

UQ uses Duo to provide its MFA services.

For most people, the Duo Mobile app is the most convenient way to use MFA. You can choose to either receive a 'push' notification or generate a passcode.

If you have a UQ mobile phone, you're expected to use it for your MFA needs. If you would prefer to use a Duo token for MFA, or require a token for a specific reason, tokens can now be ordered through UQeMarket (catalogue no. 080010).

UQ uses Duo to provide its MFA services.

Most people find using the Duo Mobile smartphone app the most convenient way to use MFA. To activate MFA on your mobile device, you’ll need:

• your mobile device (e.g. smartphone). If you don't have a smartphone, submit an IT request (staff login required).
• a computer or other device.

If you will be activating MFA for multiple UQ accounts (e.g. a staff account and a student account), follow the instructions for activating multiple accounts. 

To activate MFA, watch the video guide or read the steps:

Watch: How to activate MFA

1. On your mobile device, download the Duo Mobile app  from Google Play or the App Store.
2. On your computer, go to MFA activation. If you have multiple UQ accounts, ensure you are logged in with the account you are activating for MFA.
3. Enter your date of birth and click ‘Submit’.
4. Click ‘Start setup’.
5. Select the type of device you wish to add:
   • If you are using your mobile phone to activate MFA for your first or only UQ account, select 'Mobile phone' for the device type and enter your mobile number.
   • If you are using your mobile phone to activate MFA for additional UQ accounts, select 'Tablet' for the device type.
6. Select your device's operating system and click ‘Continue’.
7. Click ‘I have Duo Mobile Installed’.
8. On your mobile device, open the Duo Mobile app and tap the plus icon (+) to add a new account.
9. Tap 'Allow' if the app asks for permission to access your camera, so it can open a QR code scanner. Focus it on the QR code (square barcode) on your computer screen.
10. On your computer, click 'Continue' when the tick appears to confirm the app has registered the QR code.
11. Click the 'When I log in' drop down menu and choose one of the authentication methods.
12. Click 'Save', then click ‘Continue to Login’.

You'll now need to use your registered device when you log in to UQ websites and systems that require MFA.

To learn about logging in with MFA, watch the video guide or read the information below:

Watch: How to log in with MFA

When you log in to a UQ website or system that requires MFA, you’ll be asked how you would like to authenticate.

If you select:

• ‘Send me a push’, a notification will appear on your mobile device that asks you to accept or deny access.
• ‘Enter a passcode’, you’ll need to open the Duo Mobile app and enter the passcode from the app on the login screen of the website or system. If your device is unavailable, you can generate a temporary passcode via the MFA portal.

If you have multiple devices registered, you can choose which one you want to use.

If you prefer to always use a particular authentication method, you can select that in your device settings on the MFA portal.

VPN users: MFA is required for the UQ VPN service.

Once registered, you can use the MFA portal to:

• add, remove or change the device you use for MFA. If you have multiple devices registered, you can choose which one you want to use.
• choose to always use a particular authentication method.

Here are our answers to common questions about MFA: