What’s happening?
If you use Microsoft 365 email services, and access your emails on your phone, this is for you.
Microsoft is overhauling it’s authentication procedures for logging in to email services. This is all about improving security, and making it harder for the wrong person to be able to access your emails. However, it’s going to mean some changes for you. Some have called them “disruptive” changes. So what are they, exactly?
Traditionally, to log into your email services on your phone or mobile device, you needed a username and password. These are know as Basic Authentication.
In March 2018, Microsoft said that it would require Modern Authentication for Office 365 services including Exchange Online (the email service used by Office 365). Modern Authentication is a so-called “single sign-on” method including rich multi-factor authentication processes. Single sign-on (SSO) is a session and user authentication service that permits a user to use one set of login credentials (e.g., name and password) to access multiple applications. Multi-factor authentication processes include:
Codes sent by email or text - Codes generated by an app
- Answers to personal security questions
- USB devices
- Fingerprints
- Retinal scans
- Facial recognition
The list goes on…!
Microsoft are continuing to introduce Modern Authentication across it’s services, and have stated that from 13 October 2020, Basic Authentication will be turned off.
Will the change go smoothly?
For most devices, everything should be fine, but for old photocopiers, older versions of Outlook for Windows and Mac, android phones using the native mail app, and many others, there will be problems. (An exception here is Samsung devices, which do support Modern Authentication).
Basic authentication can certainly be a security vulnerability, so Microsoft is right to make the change.
There is stuff that will break as a result, though.
As usual, if you have any concerns or problems, give us a call on 0114 287 0510 for advice and help.