General

What is it?

• MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) enhances your security by requiring to enter a code (= a second factor, 2-Factor-Authentication/2FA). 

Why so complicated?

• Unfortunately, security always comes with an extra amount of effort. Why does need an apartment a door lock? If I loose the key, I'm in trouble?!

Why so many different MFA types?

• Each solution has it own advantage and disadvantage - again, unfortunately there is no one solution who fits all requirements.

Types of second factors

Supported at https://login.math.uzh.ch

TOTP (Time-based One Time Passwords)

• Codes are generated locally by a user's device (an authenticator app on a phone, KeePassXC, in-browser extension).
• A new code is generated every 30 seconds.
• Configuring TOTP requires to share a secret data between the server and the device: either by copying it directly or by scanning a QR code

Email codes

• Codes are sent by the server to user's email and are valid several minutes. Only the last email's code is valid.
• This method requires access to the email account.

Recovery (static) codes

• A set of codes (usually 6) is shared between user and the server.
• No expiration time.
• Not practical for every day use, but can be treated as a backup method.