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Office of Information Technology announces changes to network access via Duo
Image of a person hovering over the duo app

Emory network users will now use an updated version of Duo “push” for multi-factor authentication (MFA). Enacted on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the change improves authentication security and phases out the less secure Duo “phone call” option. The OIT Enterprise IT Security team sent detailed instructions to Emory users during the past month, and all University accounts were moved to the new MFA policies.


What users can expect

Beginning Nov. 4, users may be prompted to re-authenticate all Duo-integrated desktop and mobile apps, particularly Microsoft apps, such as Teams.

Once a user has re-authenticated, their Duo push notifications will switch to a “verified push” prompt that will require entering a three-digit code on their mobile device, instead of the old “Yes” or “No” prompts. The three-digit code will be provided by the website or application being accessed.

A small but important change to Emory’s MFA service is that “phone call” or “call me” Duo MFA methods will no longer be supported. Any user currently relying on these options must set up one of the alternative options mentioned below to avoid losing access to Emory systems.


Options for “phone call” or “call me” users:

The following options are free and recommended.
  • Duo Mobile App (Push): This is the most recommended option. Duo is a completely free application to install on mobile devices or tablets. The application is small, single-purpose, and can be used on most smart phones, including older models.
  • SMS Passcodes: Users with a phone number that can receive SMS messages and is already configured with Duo, should try the SMS option to ensure it works. Otherwise, users will need to configure a personal number to receive SMS messages and test this method.

Users who can not use either of the above options need to purchase a YubiKey. Emory faculty and staff should work with their management and use the standard purchasing process to order a YubiKey, if needed. Please note that this option is not free.

To help navigate these updates, visit the user guide. For any additional assistance, reach out to the University Service Desk at 404-727-7777. For general Duo information and an FAQ, consult the Emory Duo site

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