What's Changing?If you use an Authenticator app on your mobile phone to verify your identity when logging in to college systems from outside the college network, you will soon see a change in the process. Instead of the current procedure in which you are asked to deny or approve a login attempt, you will be shown a 2-digit number on your login screen which you will need to type into the Authenticator app.
Why is this changing?This method of authentication is called Number Matching and is designed to be more secure than the current process as it reduces the risk that you might accidentally approve an MFA challenge that was triggered by an attacker trying to break in to your account.
Who's affected?Anyone who uses ‘push notifications’ in the Microsoft Authenticator app to verify their identity when logging in to college systems will see the change. If you use SMS/text messages on your phone or the 6 digit One Time Codes to verify your identity, you will not be impacted.
What does the new set-up look like?Instead of just being asked to deny or approve a login attempt, you will be shown a 2-digit number on your login screen (on the left below) which you will need to type into the Authenticator app on your phone (on the right below):
Will this work with any version of the Authenticator app?Android versions prior to 6.2006.4198 and iOS versions prior to 6.4.12. do not support number matching so those will need to be upgraded to the latest version.
Android versions prior to 6.2108.5654 and iOS versions prior to 6.5.82 will work but these versions will prompt you to tap and select a number rather than enter the number into the app. You are highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version.
When will the change happen?Number Matching in the MS Authenticator app will come into effect on Monday 27th February 2023.