Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)

KU Leuven Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) is an augmented level of security which, as the name suggests, requires multiple steps when authenticating. The following two factors are necessary to connect to the KU Leuven clusters:

• A valid private key

• Access to a VSC-associated university/institution account

This approach ensures that if your private key is compromised, the person who has unauthorized access to it will still not be able to abuse your VSC account. This document provides two methods to connect to the KU Leuven clusters with MFA. The first method, without an agent, is easier to get started with, but requires some repetitive steps with each connection. The second method, with an agent, requires some more effort to set up initially but will be easier when you need multiple connections or you are using some specific GUI applications to connect.

• Quick start guide for MFA
  • General
  • Getting started
  • Using apps that use SSH connections in the background
  • Setting up an agent
    • Windows machines
    • Linux and Mac machines
  • Configuration of SSH clients and UI apps for use with an agent
    • MobaXTerm
    • PuTTY
    • NX
• MFA Guide
  • MFA without an agent
    • GUI applications with SSH connection in the background
  • Authentication with an ssh agent
    • Authentication with an agent on Windows
    • Authentication with an agent on Linux/Mac/WSL
    • Secure your SSH agent set-up
    • Configuration of ssh-clients and GUI apps
  • Known issues - General remarks