Activate MFA for your computer identity

Step 1

Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app. Make sure you install 'Microsoft Authenticator' by Microsoft Corporation. Download the app in the App Store or via the Play Store.

You can also use other authenticator apps, such as Google Authenticator – but there is only support for Microsoft Authenticator at the university.

Step 2

When you open the app, you may be asked about Microsoft's privacy policy. Select 'Agree'.

Step 3

After that, the app can ask for app usage data. Select 'Continue'.

Step 4

Give the app access to notifications, the camera and location on request.

To activate the MFA, you need to log in to your computer.

Step 1

Log in to your computer to activate MFA: aka.ms/mfasetup. Open the link in a private window or in incognito mode Log in with your datorid@mau.se (e.g. aa1234@mau.se) and password.

Step 2

You will be informed to 'Start by getting the app'. Select 'Next'
Or
Do you end up on the 'Security information' page instead? If so, add the login method by clicking on the plus sign. Select 'Microsoft Authenticator'.

Step 3

You will be informed to 'Set up your account'. Select 'Next'.

Step 4

Click on the + sign to add account and select 'Work or school account'.

Step 5

Click on 'Scan QR code'. Scan the QR code via the app on your mobile phone. Select 'Next'.

Step 6

If the app asks for access to the camera or permission to send notifications, select 'Allow'.

Step 7

Your computer identity will now be added to the app. Select 'Next'.

Step 1

You will get the message 'Let's try it out' and two numbers will appear.

Step 2

Enter the numbers in the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Step 3

You will get the message 'Are you trying to sign in?'. Select 'Yes'.

Step 4

You will be informed on the computer screen that 'The message has been accepted'. Select 'Next'.

Step 5

You have now activated MFA for your account! You will receive a confirmation that 'Microsoft Authenticator app was successfully registered'. Remember to only authorise logins that you know you have initiated yourself.

The MFA feature provides an additional layer of security when logging into your Mau account.

Instead of just entering your computer identity and password, you also need to confirm your identity in a third way, such as by entering a temporary code sent to your mobile phone. This makes it much harder for unauthorised people to access or take over your account.

You will need a smartphone and the Microsoft Authenticator app, which is available for both iOS devices (requires iOS/iPadOS 16.0 or later) and Android devices (requires Android 8.0 or later).

Other types of Authenticator apps may work. Malmö University recommends Microsoft Authenticator, which is the app we can provide support for.

Microsoft Authenticator for iOS (App Store)

Microsoft Authenticator for Android (Google Play)

If you do not activate multi-factor authentication (MFA), you will soon no longer be able to log in to university services.

From 1 October 2025 onwards, you will need to have MFA enabled on your account in order to continue accessing the Canvas learning management system.

When you log in, you will use:

1. Your computer identity, for example xx0000@mau.se
2. A password that is between 12 and 30 characters long and contains both upper- and lower-case letters, at least one digit and at least one special character. Some characters will not work, e.g. /, $, >, <, & or spaces.
3. You will also need to provide additional confirmation in the form of a temporary value (e.g. a set of numbers), which you will then need to verify using the Authenticator app installed on your mobile phone.

You only need to use MFA when logging in. Once you are logged in, you will not be affected.

However, if you log out yourself or are logged out due to inactivity, you will need to use MFA again the next time you log in.

No, once it's up and running, logging in only takes a few extra seconds. You use your mobile phone to log in to the system.

As a government agency, Malmö University must comply with the latest security requirements (NIS2/ISO 27001 and SWAMID). Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of these requirements.

For you as a student, this means that:

• Your account will be more difficult to hijack as it will have an additional security feature.
• The university's various systems will also be more secure for all users.