Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be the norm for the use of applications. This will make logging on considerably safer and, as a result, we will be less vulnerable to attacks.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method whereby you as an online user have to successfully complete multiple steps to access an application. At Tilburg University, this means that, in addition to entering your password (something you know), you also verify your login in the Microsoft Authenticator App (something you have). See at a glance what MFA is and why we are using it: view image
Microsoft Authenticator app
To be able to use Tilburg University applications, you need to install Microsoft Authenticator on your smartphone. You can install the app the first time you start using applications with a mandatory MFA. You have to complete a number of steps to set up the second verification method. Then you can use the app to log on to the applications with MFA. When you want to use one of the applications on your laptop, you will receive a notification via the Authenticator app on your smartphone to confirm the log-in on your laptop.
Download the Microsoft Authenticator app for:
Check out manuals and frequently asked questions, such as:
- How can I use Multi-Factor Authentication/the Microsoft Authenticator app on my new phone?
- My phone or device is broken, lost or stolen and I want to reset or recover the Authenticator app.
- I receive an error message and/or cannot log in with the Microsoft Authenticator.
Manual to set up the app Manual to log in with MFA
Logging on
The log-on frequency for the applications is limited as long as you work at the same desktop and exclusively use desktop applications (installed on your computer such as Teams, Word and your files in Windows Explorer). In this case, logging on only needs to be done once during installation and configuration so that your details (username, password and approved code) are stored and retained. Furthermore, you only need to log in again when you change your password or log out.
If you use the online versions in your browser, you always need to log on first. Every time you start a browser session to use applications with MFA, you need the Authenticator app to log on. If you keep working within the browser, you don't have to do this again. If you close the browser and restart it, you will need to log in again with MFA.
Why multi-factor authentication?
This additional security ensures that we use cyber security measures as effectively as possible and we protect the university against reputational damage, restoration costs and privacy fines.
Although passwords offer an excellent way of security, the chance that we as an organization will be hacked is still too high. Reasons for this are:
- We still use a lot of simple passwords
- We use the same password for different accounts
- And even if we do use complex many different passwords, they can still be easily captured by hackers.
By using MFA to access your account, we make it difficult for hackers who have already obtained our password to access our data. So as a university we ask for this small time investment. By setting up MFA, you, as an employee or student, are helping to ensure that our university's data remains protected.
Help and support
You can check the manuals and frequently asked questions above. For any other questions, please contact IT Support.
