Set Up and Manage Duo for Your Account and Devices

staff students faculty Duo

Duo is the multi-factor authentication tool used by all TU members to help prevent security breaches when accessing applications that contain sensitive information. To get started, use your NetID Management tools to enroll in Duo.

Notice: When prompted to set up Duo, do NOT exit the 'Welcome to Duo' screen. This will interrupt the Duo enrollment process and require you to contact the OTS Technology Support Desk

Set Up and Use Duo:

Register a device for Duo

Open towson.edu/netid and select the Manage link under Manage NetID.
Log in using your NetID and password. An Attention box will prompt you to enable Duo if you have not already done so.
Select CLOSE if necessary to hide the box and continue.
Select MY PROFILE in the black area at the top of the page. Then select MANAGE DUO in the gray area.
Select ADD NEW DEVICE at the bottom of the page.
In the Add new Duo device box, select Mobile phone and click NEXT.
Enter a friendly name for your device and select NEXT.
Select your country code (if necessary), enter the phone number for your device, and select NEXT.
Select your phone type, and select NEXT.
Install the Duo Mobile app as instructed. Then, select I HAVE DUO MOBILE.
Link your device using the using the QR code or request an activation link via email. If you are logged in on your phone, then long click the QR code.

How to Setup Duo

For new account holders who do not set up Duo right away, you will be prompted to enroll during your next login.

If the Welcome to Duo Security screen appears, do not close or exit this screen. You must successfully enroll a device to proceed. Exiting prematurely will interrupt the enrollment process and require assistance from the OTS Technology Support Desk.

Below is an example of what you’ll see when prompted to enroll after logging into a Duo-protected service:

You will be asked to add a device (Duo Mobile is universally recommended).

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your Duo setup, based on the type of device you wish to add.

Once enrollment is complete, Duo two-factor authentication will be required each time you log in.

You will receive a confirmation email whenever a new device is enrolled. This ensures you’ll be notified if a new device is added in the future.

How to Register a Replaced Device

Instructions on how to register a replacement device with the same phone number.

Select MY PROFILE at the top of the page, then select MANAGE DUO in the gray area below.
- If necessary, select the sandwich button (three stacked lines) to reveal MANAGE DUO.
Select the small QR code to the right of your registered device.
Select Confirm. The QR code will be displayed.
Open the Duo Mobile app on your phone.
Tap the + button.
Scan the QR code using the phone's camera.

Learn About Duo Multifactor Authentication Methods

There are several ways to authenticate using your enrolled device:

✅ Duo Push (Recommended)

Using the Duo Mobile app, a login request is sent to your smartphone or tablet. You’ll see a notification on your device’s screen — simply tap Approve to complete the sign-in on your computer.

🔢 Passcodes

You can authenticate using numeric passcodes, which can be:

Generated within the Duo Mobile app (no internet/cell/data required),
Sent via text message (SMS), or
Obtained from NetID Management as backup codes.

Enter the passcode on your computer to complete the login process.

You must enroll your devices in Duo before authenticating. See the previous section's "How to Setup Duo," for details.

Use Duo to authenticate

Duo will prompt you with your most secure option. If that option is not available, select 'Other Options' to see all the other options you have registered or have available to you.

Learn more about using Duo — including available login options — by visiting:
Duo Universal Prompt: Guide to Two-Factor Authentication

✅ Have Duo Remember You

When using Duo to authenticate web applications such as PeopleSoft or Microsoft 365, you may see a checkbox labeled "Remember me."
As long as you're using a personal or trusted device, you can safely select this option to reduce how often you need to authenticate.

🛠️ Troubleshooting “Remember Me” Visibility

In some situations, the "Remember me" checkbox may be hidden or unavailable due to your device or settings. Here’s how to resolve common issues:

📱 On Mobile Devices

If the checkbox is hidden (e.g., covered by the on-screen keyboard):

Minimize the keyboard or
Swipe down to view the full Duo prompt.

💻 On Computers or Mobile Devices with Auto-Push/Call Configured

If Duo is set to automatically send a push notification or initiate a phone call, the checkbox may be grayed out.
Follow these steps based on your method:

🔔 Push Notifications

When the “Pushed a login request to your device” bar appears, click Cancel.
When the “Authentication request canceled” message appears, click Dismiss.
Now, check “Remember me” and choose your preferred authentication method.

📞 Call Notifications

Decline the incoming phone call.
Click Cancel on the Duo prompt.
Click Dismiss on the cancellation message.
Check the “Remember me” box and select your authentication method.

How to use Duo without wi-fi or mobile connectivity

The Duo Mobile app that can be installed on smart phones and tablets does not require any connections. At the Duo prompt, choose "Duo Mobile passcode" and then open the Duo mobile app, tap your account, and the 6-digit passcodes will cycle through every 30 seconds.

Alternatively, you can generate and print out bypass codes. These can come in handy if you forget your device or cannot have your device in certain locations. To generate a set of codes to use when you are unable to use other Duo authentication methods, select GENERATE RANDOM CODES at the bottom of the Manage Duo page within NetID Management (www.towson.edu/netid).

Keep the bypass codes in a secure location.
Each code can be used only once.
All codes will expire in six months.

How to use Duo Push

Depending on what devices you have registered to use with Duo will depend on how the Duo prompt will ask you to verify your identity. Duo Push is the easiest and one of the more secure ways of using Duo to protect your account and the campus network by preventing potential phishing and other credential-stealing attacks. It also reduces the likelihood of accidental approval of malicious login attempts.

Duo Push ties your active login session, such as logging into email, and the Duo push approval together by generating a code on the page you are logging into and verifying that login with Duo's mobile app.

1. A four-digit number will be displayed on the screen when you attempt to log in to a service.

2. That number will then need to be entered in the Duo mobile app before hitting ‘Verify’ and continuing.

If your Duo attempt runs out of time, you can Try again, or use other options you may have previously configured.

After several incorrect attempts, Duo will lock you out for 10 minutes Further attempts to log in to a service will result in Duo confirming that you are locked out.

Be careful not to approve any Duo prompts you did not initiate.

If you receive a push in your mobile app unexpectedly, you can report it by tapping "I'm not logging in" from the mobile app. You should also change your password and contact OTS by creating a TechHelp request or calling 410-704-5151.

Configuring Duo on a Shared Guest Account

To add Duo to your Shared Guest Account, log in with that account at netid.towson.edu, select Manage Duo, and follow the self-guided setup. If you're using the Duo Mobile app, you'll be adding a new account — separate from your regular NetID.

If Duo multi-factor authentication has been applied to your shared guest account, the first person to use the account must complete the Duo registration process and add at least one authentication method/device.

📲 Setting Up Multiple User Devices

Subsequent users needing to access the account with the same credentials would need to coordinate with the first user to have an additional phone number or device added to Duo. This is done by choosing “Other options” from the Duo Push pop-up:

Choose “Manage devices” from the bottom of the list
Choose “Add a device” and adding the device details:
After initial configuration of each users’ device details, they would need to be sure to choose their personal device utilizing “Other options” from the Duo push screen and selecting the appropriate device.

🔑 Using Bypass Codes (Alternative Option)

If you are unable to setup multiple devices between users easily, Bypass Codes offer flexibility and security. The main account holder can log into NetID Management, select Manage Duo, and review Bypass Codes.

More information on Bypass Codes may be found here: Towson TechHelp - Bypass Codes Guide

🛡️ Using Security Keys

If using a Shared Guest account on a single machine, security keys, such as a YubiKey, may be a good solution. The security key can stay plugged into the machine and used when the account is logged in. You can use the Duo Device Management Portal to add these type of devices.

More information on using Duo Device Management may be found here: Towson TechHelp - Duo Device Management Guide

Using Duo on a Shared Guest Account

In this example we will be logging into Office with the shared guest account: dduosharedtest

When Duo prompts, simply look for your device and method you wish to use:

On the next screen, to reduce the amount of Duo prompts for your shared guest account, the person logging in should choose 'Yes':

This will be followed by a "Success" screen. If prompted to "Stay signed in?" also select 'Yes' to reduce the amount of times you need to log in with the account overall.

Hardware Tokens for Duo Multi-Factor Authentication:

Acquire and Set Up a Duo Hardware Token

Eligible Towson University faculty and staff may request a hardware token — a small electronic security device — for use with Duo multi-factor authentication. These tokens generate random bypass codes you enter at the Duo prompt to authenticate.

Note: Hardware tokens are limited in quantity. All requests are reviewed and must be approved by OTS. Unused tokens may be recalled to support others in need.

The Duo mobile app works offline and does not require Wi-Fi or cellular reception to generate passcodes.

When Can You Request a Hardware Token?

To receive a token, one or more of these scenarios must apply:

You do not have a mobile phone or tablet and need to authenticate in places like conference rooms or classrooms where mobile devices aren’t available.
Your mobile device does not support Duo Mobile, and you frequently use locations with poor reception, making phone calls and texts unreliable.

How to Request a Hardware Token

Open TechHelp Services> NetIDs & Duo> Duo and select Open a Ticket.
Complete the service request form describing your use case for a Duo token.
Select the gold Request button. The OTS Faculty/Staff Help Center will either approve and arrange a pickup time, deny or escalate the request.

How to Enroll Your Hardware Token

Open the NetID Management page in your preferred browser.
Select Manage Duo Devices under Other OTS Faculty/Staff NetID Tools.
Enter your NetID (username) and Password, then select Login.
Select MY PROFILE at the top of the page, then select MANAGE DUO in the gray area below. If necessary, select the sandwich button (three stacked lines) to reveal MANAGE DUO.
Select the ADD NEW DEVICE button under Duo Security Tokens.
Select Hardware Token, then select Next.
Enter the token serial number followed by GO6OATH.
Select the ASSOCIATE button.

See the following article for using and troubleshooting your hardware token: Towson TechHelp - Hardware Token Guide

Use Your Duo Hardware Token to Log In

If you use a Duo hardware token, you can generate a passcode at the push of a button. Simply enter the passcode displayed on the token into the Duo prompt to complete your authentication.

Authenticate using a hardware token

When the Duo panel (pictured below) appears after you log in with your TU NetID and password, select Token from the Device menu.
Select the Enter a Passcode button in the Duo box. The button will change to Log In.
On your hardware token (pictured below), press the green button once. Then wait a few seconds for a passcode to appear on the token’s display.
Enter the passcode into the passcode field on the Duo panel, then select the Log In button. If available, you may also check the Remember me for 30 days option.

Troubleshoot your hardware token

A hardware token can become out-of-sync with the Duo service if its button is pressed too many times without the passcode being entered into the Duo Authentication panel. If this happens to you:

Try authenticating with your hardware token three times in a row.
On the first two attempts, the Duo panel will report Incorrect Passcode.
On the third attempt, you should be granted access.

Additional Information:

Setting Up an Additional Device (phone or tablet) for Duo Authentication

Faculty, staff, students, and retirees must use Duo when accessing certain protected TU resources on additional devices they possess (phone, tablet, etc.). However, the steps to set up a new device are largely the same as before. Install the Duo Mobile app from your device's app store, then follow the steps below to complete the enrollment process.

Start adding a new phone or tablet

Open the NetID Management page in your preferred browser on a desktop or laptop computer.
In the Manage NetID section, select the Manage link.
Enter your NetID (username) and Password, then select Login.
Select MY PROFILE at the top of the page, then select MANAGE DUO in the gray area below. If necessary, select the sandwich button (three stacked lines) to reveal MANAGE DUO.
Select the gold ADD NEW DEVICE button to display the Add new Duo device box.
Select the type of device you plan to enroll — Mobile phone, Tablet (iPad, Nexus 7, etc.), or Hardware Token (which includes security keys) — then select NEXT. Continue with the most appropriate section below.

Finish adding a new phone

Enter a friendly name for the device (My iPhone, for example), then select NEXT.
Set the phone country code to United States (+1), enter your phone number, then select NEXT.
Select the phone type, then select NEXT.
Verify that the Duo Mobile app is installed on your phone. If it is not, install it now.
Select I HAVE DUO MOBILE to display a QR code (a square, black and white graphic) on your desktop or laptop screen, then follow the next three steps to link your phone to your TU account. If you prefer not to use the QR code, select the "...have an activation link emailed to you instead" option. Links expire after 24 hours.
1. Open the Duo Mobile app on your phone.
2. Tap the + button.
3. Scan the QR code using the phone's camera.
Select DONE on your computer. Your phone should be listed under Duo Authentication Devices with the status Enabled.

Finish adding a new tablet

Enter a friendly name for the device (My iPad, for example), then select NEXT.
Select the tablet type — iOS or Android — then select NEXT.
Verify that the Duo Mobile app is installed on your tablet. If it is not, install it now.
Select I HAVE DUO MOBILE to display a QR code (a square, black and white graphic) on your desktop or laptop screen, then follow the next three steps to link your tablet to your TU account. If you prefer not to use the QR code, select the "...have an activation link emailed to you instead" option. Links expire after 24 hours.
1. Open the Duo Mobile app on your tablet.
2. Tap the + button.
3. Scan the QR code using the tablet's camera.
Select DONE on your computer. Your tablet should be listed under Duo Authentication Devices with the status Enabled.

Using Duo Bypass Codes

A Duo bypass code can be useful for authentication if ever your Duo-enrolled mobile devices are unavailable. If you generate a bypass code ahead of time, print and store it in a secure location or email it to a personal address, you will be ready when the need arises. Note: Even when there is no cell or Wi-Fi service, the Duo Mobile apps can still generate passcodes manually. Further, if you have previously received Duo passcodes via text message, you may be able to use one of the remaining passcodes in that text message without relying on bypass codes.

Generate a Duo Bypass Code

Open the NetID Management page in your preferred browser on a desktop or laptop computer.
In the Manage NetID section, select the Manage an existing NetID profile link.
Enter your NetID (username) and Password, then select Login.
Select MY PROFILE at the top of the page, then select MANAGE DUO in the gray area below. If necessary, select the sandwich button (three stacked lines) to reveal MANAGE DUO.
Select the gold GENERATE RANDOM CODES button to display a set of numeric codes in the Bypass Codes box.
Use the buttons at the bottom of the Bypass Codes section to:
1. CLEAR the displayed codes.
2. GENERATE RANDOM CODES, invalidating the previous set and displaying a new set.
3. PRINT BYPASS CODES.

Please note that each code can be used one time only and they expire after 180 days.

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