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DUO

To keep your Northwestern NetID account transactions secure, Northwestern Information Technology provides Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) technology, using the Duo application.  Critical information about Duo and its setup on devices can be found on Northwestern IT’s knowledge base article, here.

Assuming you have internet connectivity, you can use multi-factor authentication (MFA) around the world. Duo usage requires either Apple or Android based mobile devices, phones on other platforms are not supported by NU-Q IT.  In order to protect our community of users and systems against evolving cyberattacks designed to get through legacy MFA protection, and beginning in July 2024, Northwestern University updated our MFA standard to allow only for verified pushes in Duo, and disabled SMS text message passcode and phone call options.

Below are scenarios and solutions that lay out the best steps to determine how to keep your MFA active wherever you are in the world.

You are not in Qatar when you set up Duo: Use Duo Mobile

Scenario: You have not yet arrived in Qatar when you set up Duo.

Solution:Follow the instructions in the Northwestern Knowledge Base to register your Duo applications with NU systems.

Before you leave for Qatar:

  1. From the App Store or Google Play, download Duo Mobile onto your phone.  Duo App
  1. Follow the instructions to allow for Verified Push in this video.
  2. Do not forget to allow notifications so that you can approve your access quickly.

Requesting Duo Mobile assistance

Scenario: You can no longer authenticate using Duo Mobile.

Solution: If you can no longer authenticate using Duo Mobile, send an email message to helpdesk@qatar.northwestern.edu from your official Northwestern email address, and include the following information:

  • Your NetID
  • A photo of your face holding two forms of government issued ID or your NU-Q ID.  Please know that this photo is stored in NU-Qs ticket tracking system for the intent of protecting your online identity.  This photo is required, and is only accessible by limited NU-Q IT staff, is only used to validate your identity as the requestor of the assistance.  If you do not provide this photo upon submission of the request, the IT representative can get a screenshot from the online meeting with you holding the two forms of identification.
  • Short description of your issue, such as:
    • I got a new phone.
    • I am not in Qatar and I'm now using a phone in a different country.
    • I updated the phone's operating system and now Duo does not work.
    • I accidentally deleted Duo Mobile from my phone and even though I reinstalled it, it is not working.
    • Duo seemed to spontaneously stop working and I am not sure why.
  • Info about your existing phone:
    • Its phone number (include country code)
    • Its phone type (iPhone/Android)
  • If you have a new phone or phone number, its info:
    • Its phone number (include country code)
    • Its phone type (iPhone/Android)

Our Duo administrators will then troubleshoot your specific situation and send you reactivation instructions or confirm your changes.

More information:

Multi-factor Authentication at Northwestern

Registering and managing devices for Duo Mobile multi-factor authentication

Using Duo Mobile multi-factor authentication

For further assistance or if your question is not covered above, please email helpdesk@qatar.northwestern.edu.

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