DUO MFA – FAQ’s

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security to your online accounts. Verifying your identity using a second factor (like your phone or another mobile device) prevents anyone but you from logging in, even if they know your password.


1. Enter username and password as usual
2. Use your phone to verify your identity
3. Securely logged in

Once you’ve enrolled in Duo, you’re ready to go: You’ll login as usual with your username and password, and then use your device to verify that it’s you.

What is Duo?

Duo is a solution provider for Two-Factor Security for popular IT Services

Why do we need it?

Passwords are increasingly easy to compromise. They can often be stolen, guessed, or hacked — you might not even know someone is accessing your account.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security, keeping your account secure even if your password is compromised. With Duo Push, you’ll be alerted right away (on your phone) if someone is trying to log in as you.
This second factor of authentication is separate and independent from your username and password — Duo never sees your password.

Is it safe to put the Duo app on my personal mobile?

The Duo Mobile App is very safe and is used Worldwide. It is only used to facilitate the notification from Duo to approve the login. The Duo Mobile App can’t be used to monitor anything else on your phone and has been downloaded by 10s of millions of people.

Why when connecting to Remote Desktop does it try to connect and then just sit there

This could be because the Remote Desktop logon is waiting for you to approve to logon on your phone. If you don’t see a notification on your phone, try opening the Duo App and signing in again.

Why do I only sometimes get prompted for DUO

This will depend on the service you are trying to connect to. Some services allow you to save credentials, some don’t and some are configured by management to force a login every time for security.

As a general rule, most web portals will prompt every time, as you can access the website from anywhere in the world, whereas desktop apps are only accessible on your computer so will allow you to save your login. There are MANY exceptions to this rule and will also depend on your organisation’s security settings.

Why doesn’t DUO prompt me every time I open Outlook?

Outlook(and other Microsoft desktop apps) will only need to authenticate once and will not need to authenticate again until you change your password.
This is because your login details are saved in the app.

Why do I get prompted every time I connect to Remote Desktop or VPN

The corporate network needs to be a secure environment, for this reason, we need to make sure the person connecting remotely is you, and not just someone who has remote access to your home computer.

Updated on January 27, 2023

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