University of Oregon students still have time to opt in to Duo, the UO's two-step login service, before it becomes mandatory this spring.
The voluntary Duo enrollment period for students ends March 12. Students who sign up for Duo by then will be entered in a prize drawing. Information Services is giving away 82 prizes of $10 or $50 in Duck Bucks or gift cards to the Duck Store or Starbucks.
Students who don't sign up for Duo by March 12 will be assigned to one of nine mandatory Duo enrollment deadlines during spring term. Starting on their assigned deadline, students must be signed up for Duo before they can attend remote classes through Canvas or Zoom or access other protected UO services such as UOmail and Microsoft applications.
"Duo will soon be required, so why not sign up now for a chance to win a prize?" said Leo Howell, chief information security officer. "Opting in by March 12 puts you in control of the timing and secures your Duck ID account sooner."
Two-step login — also known as two-factor authentication, 2FA, two-step verification or multifactor authentication — is a common method of securing login processes. After entering a username and password, users must also verify their identity by tapping a button in a mobile app, entering a code or answering a telephone call.
The university's Duo service allows people to quickly and easily verify their own identity and prevent unauthorized use of their account.
"When you're logging in, you can get a Duo push notification on your phone. Just tap 'Accept' and you're in," Howell said. "Or if you get a notification when you're not logging in, tap 'Deny' to prevent a cybercriminal from using your account."
The Duo Mobile app for smartphones is the most popular way of doing Duo at the UO. Other options include text messages, phone calls and hardware tokens available from Information Services.
By the end of spring term, all students will be required to use Duo. The service has been required for all UO faculty members, staff and graduate employees since July 29.
FAQs and other information about Duo are available in the UO Service Portal.
Students seeking help with Duo are encouraged to contact the Technology Service Desk. The Tech Desk offers remote support 6 a.m.–midnight every day by live chat and by phone at 541-346-4357. Students can also submit a ticket through the two-step login support page in the UO Service Portal.
More information about the two-step login project is available on the Information Services website.
—By Nancy Novitski, University Communications