One-time Password (OTP)

Certain services require you to enter a one-time password for security. To generate one-time passwords, install an OTP generator on your smartphone. Log in to the IT portal with a computer to register the OTP generator there. From now on, you can use the OTP generator to generate one-time passwords to log in.
© Christopher Burgholz

Service: An OTP (one-time password) is a password that is generated for authorization and authentication purposes. It serves as an additional security factor to your university password and increases the protection against phishing or hacking attacks. Each OTP is valid for one-time use only and thus cannot be used a second time. To generate such one-time passwords, you need a one-time password generator. The following instructions explain the procedure using the example generator "Authenticator" from Google, which you can install as an app on your smartphone.

If you are already using an OTP service, you can continue to use it. The one-time password generators must be registered in the IT portal before use.

At University Münster, 2-factor authentication with OTP currently affects VPN access via Cisco AnyConnect and the use of VDI.

Target group: students, employees

Cost of use: free of charge

Contact: Hotline

  • What to do if the OTP generator is lost?

    If you lose your OTP generator, e.g., by deleting the app or changing your terminal device, we can only help you upon personal presentation of a valid photo ID at the service desk at Einsteinstraße 60.
    It is therefore even more important that you follow our advice on how to prevent the loss of a one-time password generator and register a second generator on a different end device.

  • Precaution against loss of one-time password generator

    URGENT Recommendation: Register two different one-time password generators. Both generators should be accessible on different end devices, e.g., computer and cell phone.
    Then select "One-time password (OTP)" in the IT portal under the settings for two-factor security. This increases security and avoids problems in the event of generator failure/loss.
    It also makes sense to have a cell phone number for the mTAN procedure stored in the IT portal.

  • Instruction: One-time password (OTP)

    Select the operating system under which you want to set up your generator.

    NOTE: All apps used as examples in our guides are free. Please do not follow any prompts that require you to enter payment information.

    ATTENTION: If you are in posession of a smartphone or tablet we suggest to register an OTP-generator on your smartphone or tablet FIRST.

    Android and iOS
    Windows
    MacOS X
    Linux
     

  • Frequently asked questions about One-time password (OTP)

    A compilation of frequently asked questions about OTP can be found here: FaQ OTP