Duo: Frequently Asked Questions

Passwords are becoming increasingly easy to compromise. They can often be guessed or stolen by cyber criminals, giving them access to your sensitive information. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to not only enter your password but verify your identity through another method, such as a push notification from Duo. If someone else tries to log-in using your password, you will be alerted by Duo right away and can reject their verification attempt. This prevents anyone but you from accessing your accounts.

Duo's self-enrollment process makes it easy to register your smartphone or tablet and install the application on your device. If you are not enrolled in Duo, you will be presented with the following screen when accessing an application or website that is protected by Duo.

To begin the enrollment process, please follow our step-by-step self enrollment guide. Once enrolled, you can download the app for your smartphone for iOS and Android to request a push notification. 

Additional information can be found on the Duo website for device-specific enrollment instructions. If there are any other issues, please contact the Service Desk at 610-519-7777 or support@villanova.edu.

For convenience, you can choose the Remember Me option to have Duo prompt you every 30 days instead of every time. The feature is specific to the browser you're using, so if you switch browsers, you will likely be prompted for authentication again. 

Yes, Duo allows you to link multiple devices to your account, so you can use your smartphone, tablet, or any smart device that can download Duo Mobile.

Please follow the steps in the Duo's guide to add or manage devices after enrollment. If you have any issues, please contact the Service Desk at 610-519-7777 or support@villanova.edu.

Yes! If you have a wifi connection, you can receive a Duo push. If you don't have internet or cell service, you can use the passcode feature.

If you believe the country you are traveling to is considered high risk, please contact the Service Desk to verify and get permission. Please see Using Duo Internationally for more information.

You can use Duo with another smart device, such as a tablet.

You can generate a passcode in the Duo Mobile app anywhere, even in places where your device doesn't have an internet connection or cell service. Learn more about iOS and Android passcodes in Duo Mobile.

If you are prompted to approve a login, but you're not signing in, we advise you exercise caution and assume someone is trying to access your account. Choose "Deny" in the Duo app to block the request and contact the Service Desk at 610-519-7777 or support@villanova.edu.

Your account will lock when there are too many failed attempts to authenticate. Should this occur, please contact the Service Desk at 610-519-7777 or at support@villanova.edu for assistance.

The only data that Duo stores for a user is your primary username (Villanova email address) and information about your second factor, such as your mobile number.

The Duo Mobile app does not access your other apps or other data on your mobile device; it uses some base functionality of the device and a certificate that identifies your device to ensure accurate identification.

During the sign up process, you will be asked to scan a QR code. The Duo Mobile app will request access to the camera when activating the app. This is the only time that the camera will be activated by Duo Mobile. Under no circumstance does Duo Mobile activate devices such as microphone or GPS.

Duo software is available for the following Android and iOS operating systems. To comply with our policies, if an operating system is no longer supported by the vendor such as Microsoft or Apple, and/or security updates and enhancements are not made available from the vendor, Technology Services will also no longer support the Duo multi-factor authentication solution on that operating system.  

As part of Villanova's information security standards, the following must be protected behind MFA:

• All applications that require authentication for access, such as Brightspace
• Applications that are internet accessible and store, transmit or process data that is classified as Restricted or Private, including Office 365 and NOVASIS.

To create a smooth and secure MFA experience for new applications, Technology Services provides assistance integrating with our Single Sign On (SSO) authentication services.