What is MFA?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) involves two different authentication methods that are performed one after the other to verify that someone or something requesting access is who they are declaring to be.
Your first authentication factor is when you enter your username and password. Then you will be required to provide another piece of information. This information could be something you know such as answers to security questions, something you have such as a smartphone, or something you are such as a fingerprint. Multifactor authentication helps secure your account as someone who gains knowledge of your password would still not be able to access your account without also having an additional method of proving their identity.
Multifactor at URI
The University of Rhode Island requires that multifactor authentication be enabled on your URI issued accounts (@uri.edu). There are multiple supported methods of meeting this requirement including mobile apps, passkeys and FIDO tokens. You are able to choose what type of authentication method you would like to use, but you are required to have at least one enabled.
The Service Desk provides useful articles on how to set up a multifactor device.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions about MFA article in KB0010319.