Multifactor Authentication
Frequently Asked Questions
Multifactor Authentication is a second layer of security for your William Paterson account. After typing in your password, you will need a second form of authentication (a push notification or 6-digit code from the duo mobile app, faculty and staff can also receive a call or text.) to log in and prove that it's really you logging into your account. Without two-factor, anyone with your username and password could log into your account. With two-factor, only you will be able to log in because you need to use your phone to approve logins.
Multifactor Authentication (MFA or Two Factor Authentication) is required for William Paterson University faculty and staff for WPconnect, email, VPN Access, and additional WP services. WPUNJ’s Duo multifactor authentication application will provide an extra layer of security to ensure that only you login to your account. We are now encouraging students to enroll as well, and to utilize the Duo Mobile App.
What is Duo Multifactor Authentication?
Duo is a Multifactor Authentication product that the university is implementing to secure our WP accounts. William Paterson University started using Duo in 2016 for all VPN users. The Duo App is available for use on smartphones to authenticate using a Push notification or a Passcode. Duo also the product used to authenticate faculty and staff via phone call or text message passcodes.
Why is William Paterson requiring multifactor authentication?
Universities and other education institutions have encountered a significant increase in phishing and other online attacks in attempt to compromise accounts for financial gain. As passwords alone no longer ensure account security, the university will be implementing multifactor authentication to protect individual accounts and improve the university’s overall online security. Similar to forms of multifactor authentication in use by online banking, shopping, social media, and personal email account sites, WPUNJ’s Duo multifactor authentication application will provide an extra layer of security to ensure that only you login to your account.
How does Multifactor Authentication work?
After your password is entered, the MFA logon procedure will prompt you to validate your login by choosing a notification through the Duo Mobile smartphone app (a phone call, or a text message for faulty and staff) in order to complete the login.
What Multifactor Authentication methods can I utilize?
Faculty and Staff can choose to receive a Push notification on your iOS or Android device, a text message, or a phone call.
Students can choose to receive a Push notification or to generate a Passcode on your iOS or Android device using the Duo Mobile Application.
Authentication Method | Faculty and Staff | Students | ||
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Duo App Push Verification | ![]() |
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Duo App to Generate Authentication Code | ![]() |
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Text Message | ![]() |
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Phone Call | ![]() |
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What services require Multifactor Authentication?
WPconnect, Office365, Email, and other WP online services require you to use Multifactor Authentication once enrolled. You may be prompted to log in when setting up email thru Outlook on your computer, you may need to remove and add your email account on your mobile device or obtain the Outlook App for your device.
There is an optional check box on the login screen to remember your device for 12 hours. You can also set your account to automatically send your default device a Push notification. (Students can remember their device for 24 hours)
How do I register my phone number?
Information Technology has prepopulated the Duo system with cell phone, office phone, or home phone information based on phone information available in the university’s Banner system for faculty and staff. Students will be asked for their phone number upon enrollment in Multifactor Authentication. You can add, edit, and remove devices or phones through the Duo Device Management Portal available in WPconnect through Duo icon located in the Apps menu.
How do I download and associate the Duo App to my account?
Visit your App Store and download the Duo App. Once you have the Duo app installed, follow the instructions in the Duo Device Management Portal section to associate the newly installed Duo app with your account.
What happens if I get a new smartphone?
Not a problem! If you change mobile devices, or if your Duo App becomes disassociated with your account you will need to reactivate your App. Use the passcode authentication method, or use a secondary device, to authenticate to WPconnect and visit the Duo Device Management Portal to reactivate your Duo App on your new device. Students can utilize duo push or passcode on their previous device to authenticate to the Duo Device Management Portal.
What happens if I don't have access to my primary device or I forget or lose my mobile phone?
Information Technology has pre-populated several phone numbers into your Duo settings, and you should review and update them. Adding additional numbers provides you with the option to validate your login on multiple numbers. Additionally, you can request a one-time bypass code thru the Forgot Account/Password or Need Login Help? button at the WPconnect login page. (The Helpdesk has the ability to provide a one-time bypass code over the phone (additional information will be required to verify your identity) if needed, call our Helpdesk at 973-720-4357 for assistance.)
What happens if I travel internationally or have limited cell/WiFi signal for my mobile phone?
You can use the Duo Mobile app to generate a passcode without cellular data or an internet connection.
What issues should I know about before I enroll?
If you have configured an iOS or Android device to check your WPUNJ email or calender, you may need delete the account and re-add it. Please see the Email and Multifactor Authentication section with more information.
Regarding privacy, what information does Duo collect?
Duo's Privacy and information collection statements are available at:
- Duo Services Privacy Notice - https://duo.com/legal/privacy-notice-services
- Duo Mobile Privacy Information - https://help.duo.com/s/article/4683
- What data does Duo collect? - https://help.duo.com/s/article/2939
Authentication and Software
Duo App for Mobile Devices
"Duo Mobile" can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or the GooglePlay Store.
iPhone Duo Application | Android Duo Application | Download the Duo Mobile App |
If you change mobile devices, or if your Duo App becomes disassociated with your account you will need to reactivate your App.
Duo Mobile App Support Documentation
For more information on the Duo Mobile Applications please see the Duo Support Documentation -
Duo Mobile App Push Troubleshooting
If you have authorized your Duo Mobile Application but you are not receiving a notification to your phone, please make sure you have Enabled Notifications for Duo through your phone settings.
If you have changed mobile devices, you will need to reactivate your App. Students can utilize our "I Don't Have My Duo Device" app found in the "Forgot Account/Password or Need Login Help?" button on WPconnect's login page. Faculty and Staff can receive a passcode by text message or authenticate by phone call.
Duo Multifactor for Landline and other Mobile Devices for Employees
If an employee is unable to utilize the Mobile App, they will still be able to register a Generic Mobile phone number to receive text message passcodes or phone calls, or a Landline to receive calls. These devices are registered and managed through WPconnect.
Duo Device Management Portal on WPconnect
To manage your multifactor authentication devices you will need to visit the Duo Device Management Portal through WPconnect. The Duo Device Management Portal is listed as Duo under Applications. You can Add or Remove devices from this portal. Mobile devices, both cellphones and tablets, as well as Landline phone numbers can be added for Authentication. Additional documentation can be found on the Duo guide as well.
Manage Devices
To manage your devices you must first authenticate against one of you existing devices. Click one of the green icons to start the process and follow the on-screen prompts.
From My Settings & Devices you can add a device or remove an old device, or select a device to automatically send a push notification to upon login.
Reactivating the Duo App
To Reactive your Duo App, please login to WP Connect and navigate to the Duo Management Application from Apps. You will need to receive a second phone call or passcode to access this App.
From Device Options you can Activate or Reactivate Duo Mobile (if you have a new mobile device), or change the description of you device.
Follow the onscreen instructions until you reach the QR code. Scan the QR code with your Duo Mobile App.
Reactivating the Duo App for Students
Reactivating your Duo App will follow the above instructions, however if you do not have your previous device, or if the App has stopped working, you will need to request a Duo Temporary Passcode from the Login Assistance page (This is the "Forgot Account/Password or Need Login Help? button on the WPconnect login page) and login to the Duo Device Management page directly.
Add a new a device
When adding a new device, you will be asked for the device type, Mobile Phone, Tablet, or Landline. (Landline is only available on employee accounts) Please provide the phone number and device type for mobile devices. Download the Duo App for your smart phone, and scan the QR code provided on the screen to associate the App to your account.
Logging in to WPconnect
After you have logged in to the "Shibboleth" login page, you will be redirected to the Multifactor Authentication page for Duo.
This page will allow you to select the Device you would like to use for Authentication. You can enroll multiple phone numbers or mobile device including tablets.
Note: There is an option on the login screen to remember your device by using the "Remember me for 12 hours" option if you do not want to be prompted everytime you log in to WPconnect. If you later notice the option is greyed out, you'll need to click on the CANCEL button first, then you'll be able to click on the "remember for 12 hours" option.
The suggested method of Multifactor authentication is to use Duo Push which utilizes the Duo Mobile Application on your mobile phone or tablet.
Additionally, you can select to receive a phone call and acknowledge you login by pressing any key, or by using a Passcode that you generate using the Duo Mobile Application or by receiving a text message.
Account Lockout
Please note that your account will be locked out after a number of authentication failures. Please submit a ticket, or calling 973-720-4357 to have your account unlocked.
Email and Multifactor Authentication
Please note you may need to reconfigure email on mobile devices once you have moved to using Multifactor Authentication
Office 365 Login
- Provide your full email address at the Microsoft Login Page
- On the WP Login page, for Office 365, use your full email address and WP password
- Select the device you would like to use for Multifactor Authentication
- Authorize Multifactor Authentication
- If you are using your own computer you may select Yes to stay logged in. Please note that this will keep your Office 365 connection open and you will not be prompted for your user name and password or Multifactor Authentication method for an extended period of time. Select No if you are using a shared computer or someone elses machine.
Outlook
Apple Mail
Apple Mail is supported on 10.14, Mojave. Older versions of Apple Mail do not support Microsoft Modern Authentication and Multifactor Authentication.
When configuring your email, you will be prompted to log in, with the same orange login screen that appears when using Office 365.
Email on Smartphones
The Outlook App for both iOS and Android devices allows access to your Email, Calendars and Contacts in one convient App.
iOS users, using the Apple Mail App, will need to remove the email account and re-add the account to their devices. Instructions on adding Email to iOS devices can be found here.
Android users, please note that the native android mail client is not compatible with Microsoft Modern Authentication. Please download the Outlook App for Android.
Additional VPN Authentication for Cisco Any Connect Client
Multifactor Authentication is required for William Paterson University VPN Access. If you require access to VPN, please request access using the ticket type Account -> VPN Access.
Using VPN with Multifactor Authentication
- After you have set up your account, you will continue to use the Cisco AnyConnect client as you have in the past.
- When you provide your login credentials you will now be provided with a secondary authentication box. You can then either use an app on your android (or iphone) to generate a key OR type "push" in the secondary authentication box. Using "push" will send a notification to the app on your phone. (Using "sms" will initiate a text with an authentication key that will expire after one hour, or "phone" if you have signed up for a phone call.)
Second Password Field
The following is utilized when using the Cisco Any Connect Client for VPN. The second password field is where you define the method of multifactor authentication you will be utilizing.
Authentication Method | Second Password | ||
---|---|---|---|
Duo App Push Verification | push | (See image 1. below) | |
Duo App to Generate Authentication Code | Enter Code displayed in App | (See image 2. below) | |
Text Message | sms | (You will receive a text message with a key that will expire after one hour) | |
Phone Call | phone | (If you have registered multiple phone numbers, enter phone1, phone2, as needed) |
1. Authorizing access through the Duo App | 2. Generating a Key in the Duo App |