VPN5 Setup - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Mechanism - Obtaining Verification Code using Chrome

National Taiwan Ocean University | VPN5 Setup Guide

Verify your VPN without a smartphone

Use Authenticator App in Chrome to generate 6-digit one-time codes. Complete these three tasks to connect.

⚠️ Before your first setup:Apply for VPN service through the Academic Information System first (activated immediately upon application). You cannot log in to the VPN Portal until the service is activated.

Open Academic Information System

👋 What is your current setup status?

Choose the option that best matches your setup. The page will take you to your next task.

🚀 Tasks to complete

Complete one task at a time. Check that it is done before moving on.

1

💻 Install VPN on your computer

About 5 minutes
1Download and install Sophos Connect

Download Sophos Connect, the client used for the university VPN. Follow the installation prompts, allow the app to make changes to your device and launch it when installation is complete.

Download Sophos Connect
2Import the NTOU VPN configuration

Download the university-provided .scx configuration file, then double-click it to import it into Sophos Connect.

Download VPN configuration (.scx)
✅ Done when: Sophos Connect opens successfully on your computer.
2

🌐 Set up Chrome authentication

About 8 minutes
1Install Authenticator App

Open the Chrome Web Store

Open the Chrome Web Store

Search for Authenticator App and install it

Searching for Authenticator App

Find the app shown in the image, then click Add to Chrome and Add extension.

Adding Authenticator App to Chrome

2Pin the extension and set a password

In the Chrome extensions menu, click the pin next to Authenticator App to keep it on the toolbar.

Pinning Authenticator App to the Chrome toolbar

When you first open the extension, follow the prompts to set its password.

Use at least 6 characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers. Only you know this password. Remember it: if you lose it, you must remove the extension and set it up again.

Setting the Authenticator App password

3Log in to the NTOU VPN Portal

Log in with your university email account. Do not include the domain after your username.

  • UsernameStudents: Student ID; faculty and staff: username
  • PasswordUniversity @mail email password
Common mistake: VPN uses your university @mail.ntou.edu.tw email password, not your Google @email.ntou.edu.tw email password.
Open VPN Portal

VPN Portal login screen

4Scan the QR code with the Chrome extension

After logging in, open Authenticator App and click Scan QR. Use the crosshair to select the QR code on the VPN Portal screen.

Selecting a QR code with Authenticator App

Authenticator App displaying a 6-digit one-time code

Note: to log in to the VPN Portal again: append the current 6-digit one-time code directly to your email password.

✅ Done when: Chrome Authenticator displays the Sophos SFOS entry and a 6-digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds.
3

🔐 Connect to VPN

Start here for future connections
1Open Sophos Connect

Open Sophos Connect.

Open Sophos Connect

Select the vpn5.ntou.edu.tw connection, then click Connect.

Sophos Connect connection button

2Enter all three login details
  • UsernameUsername / Student ID
  • Password@mail email password
  • CodeCurrent 6-digit code in Chrome Authenticator

Sophos Connect username, password and verification code fields

3Check that you are connected

Click Connect. When the status shows Connected, your VPN is connected and you can access campus resources.

Sophos Connect successful VPN connection screen

🎉 Connected! When you see Connected, the VPN connection is established.

Troubleshooting: still unable to connect after clicking Connect?

  1. Check that your username does not include @mail.ntou.edu.tw or any other domain.
  2. Check that you are using your university @mail email password.
  3. Wait for Chrome Authenticator to generate a new 6-digit code, then enter it again.
  4. If you cannot find the Sophos Connect icon, restart your computer first.