New semester brings key login changes at MSU Denver

As a new semester begins at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Roadrunners returning to campus will notice several significant changes to how they connect to campus Wi-Fi and access University computers. Here’s a rundown of the three major updates you need to know about, along with an important checklist from Information Technology Services that will ensure a smooth technical start to the semester.

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AurariaNet Wi-Fi network launches

The Auraria Campus introduced a unified Wi-Fi network this summer called AurariaNet, replacing the previous institution-specific networks such as MSUDenver. With AurariaNet, all users, regardless of their institutional affiliation, can connect their devices to a single streamlined network. Simply log in with your institutional email address to access Wi-Fi.

However, some buildings on campus still require additional infrastructure upgrades before they can fully transition to AurariaNet. The Administration Building, in particular, is slated to switch over this year once the Network Modernization Initiative is completed. For more details on how to connect and to find out which buildings are fully equipped with AurariaNet, please visit the Auraria Higher Education Center website. MSU Denver’s ITS support portal also offers how-to resources and specific Wi-Fi offerings by building.

Email login for classroom and lab computers

In an effort to unify the login experience across MSU Denver systems, the University has implemented a new login process for general-use academic computers in classrooms and labs. Instead of using your NetID, you’ll now be prompted to log in with your full institutional email address.

Enhanced MFA experience

Of course, for web-based systems, entering your username and password is only the first step in logging in. Multifactor authentication (MFA) provides users with an additional layer of security. When checking your second authentication factor, you may notice new information being provided that wasn’t there previously, such as the name of the application being accessed or the city, state or other geographical region where the MFA request is coming from. These features will let users make more informed decisions to approve or deny access when they receive an MFA request.

Note that the location of any MFA request should match your physical location. However, if the device sending the request is connected to a virtual private network (VPN), the listed location may be drastically different. For example, if you’re trying to log in to Workday while off-campus and connected to MSU Denver’s GlobalProtect VPN service, the MFA request may appear to be coming from San Francisco or another California location. In these situations, you will need to use other information to validate the request before approving it, such as the app being accessed or the timing of the request.

Semester Startup Technology Checklist

Know the location of the ITS Service Desk. ITS provides full-service walk-in support on the first-floor lobby of the Jordan Student Success Building, near Room 130A, from 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday-Thursday; and 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Friday. Phone support continues to be available 24/7. Please check the ITS Client Portal for up-to-date information on technology support and computer-lab hours and availability. You can also check the ITS Status Page for details on any service outage or scheduled maintenance or to subscribe to email updates for the same.
Be aware of e-mail scams. While MSU Denver’s information-security technologies help to block and deter many threats, some cyberattacks can still reach end users in the form of seemingly innocuous emails asking for personal or financial information. A common scam involves an email request from someone impersonating a co-worker, asking you to purchase gift cards. If you receive an unusual communication from someone, even if it’s someone you know, don’t be afraid to double-check the legitimacy of the message before following any instructions or opening any attachments or links. If you believe you’ve fallen for a phishing scam or aren’t sure if a message is legitimate, you can report it to ITS for follow-up. You can also report any junk email directly to Microsoft.
Update your Office 365 account-recovery and MFA settings. Whether you’re coming to campus full time or working remotely or a hybrid of the two, it’s important to keep your account information up to date and make sure you don’t lose access to your email and other Office 365 services. The ITS Knowledge Base provides instructions on updating your account-recovery and multifactor-authentication settings in Office 365.
Update your University-issued computer. If you haven’t used your University-issued computer for a while, it will likely have monthly system or software updates to install. You will be notified of any required updates shortly after you log in on campus, and you can check your computer’s asset-management tool (Software Center on Windows, Self Service on MacOS) for any recommended updates. Make sure you give the computer enough time to run any required updates before you need it for something else.
Check out these computing resources for students. ITS provides multiple options to MSU Denver students who need access to computing resources:
- The MSU Denver student computer labs for on-campus students (remember to log in with your full email address now).
- The new and improved Virtual Computer Lab, which allows students to access MSU Denver software from their own devices without being in a lab physically.
- Short-term laptop checkouts for temporary computer needs.
- MSU Denver has partnered with Dell Technologies to create a laptop solutions portal specifically tailored for MSU Denver students, faculty members and staff members with products categorized and configured to meet specific system requirements of different programs. Discounts will be automatically applied when using this portal, so any students looking for a personal laptop are strongly encouraged to see what’s available.