Setting Up and Configuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Introduction

Introduction

Enhance the security of your University of Wisconsin–Madison NetID account by setting up multi-factor authentication (MFA). This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help students, faculty, and staff protect their accounts from unauthorized access by adding an extra layer of verification beyond just a password.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• Your University of Wisconsin–Madison NetID and password.
• A smartphone with an authenticator app (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator) or a hardware token eligible for use with MFA.
• Internet access to access the identity management website.

Step-by-step instructions to set up MFA

1. Visit the University of Wisconsin–Madison identity management page at https://netid.wisc.edu/security.
2. Log in using your NetID and password credentials.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to enroll your preferred second factor for MFA. You can choose a smartphone authenticator app or a hardware token based on your preference.
4. Complete the verification process by entering the code generated by your authenticator or hardware token to confirm successful setup.
5. Review and save your recovery options in case you lose access to your MFA device.

Why MFA is important

Multi-factor authentication helps protect your NetID and university resources by requiring not just your password but also a second form of verification. This additional layer significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, identity theft, and potential data breaches.

Troubleshooting and support

If you encounter issues during setup or need assistance with MFA, please visit the University of Wisconsin–Madison IT Help page at https://it.wisc.edu/help. You can also contact the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) Help Desk via email at [e-mail] or call 608-264-4357 for personalized support.

Additional resources

• University IT Security Policies: https://security.wisc.edu
• MFA FAQs and guides: https://netid.wisc.edu/mfa-faq
• Authenticator app setup tutorials: [Insert link to app-specific setup guides]

Conclusion

Setting up multi-factor authentication is a crucial step to securing your University of Wisconsin–Madison NetID account. We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to complete this setup promptly to safeguard their personal and university information. For questions or further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team.