Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security feature to provide an additional level of identity verification to help prevent unauthorized access to UWindsor’s protected resources when they are being accessed from outside of the University’s networks – essentially from off-campus locations.
“MFA combines two or more independent credentials or "factors" -- what you know (e.g. your password) with something you have (e.g. your mobile phone),” says Marcin Pulcer, assistant director for client services in Information Technology Services. “This combination of factors creates a second layer of security for your UWin account.”
MFA rollout at UWindsor will begin Jan. 30. In preparation, all UWin account holders should set up their authentication options. To do so:
- Navigate to myprofile.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in with your UWinID@uwindsor.ca and UWin Account password.
2. In the Security info box, click the UPDATE INFO link.
3. Click the + Add method button to add an authentication method.
- Authentication methods include: Phone – text or call and Microsoft Authenticator App – verification code or notification.
- While there are different authentication options, one of them will be designated as the default method. This can be changed at any time.
- You can return to the Security info screen at any time to change or delete an authentication method.
It is strongly recommended that UWin account holders setup multiple authentication options for redundancy.
For more detailed information about authentication setup, see this knowledge base article.
Also note that once MFA is fully rolled out at UWindsor, setting up authentication options will be mandatory as access to UWindsor’s networks from off-campus locations will be denied without one.
“With the introduction of the new login process and MFA, UWindsor is enhancing its cybersecurity while easing the challenge of remembering and entering passwords,” says Pulcer. “In addition, once MFA is in place, the University’s password change interval will be extended from 120 days (or once per semester) to 365 days (or once per year).”
To learn more about MFA, visit www.uwindsor.ca/itservices/multifactor. You can also ask a question or open a UWin Account ticket.