Disabling Basic Authentication for CUIMC Email

Update: Please see important, current information regarding enforcing Modern Authentication only for CUIMC email.

Those using an old, unsupported email program or web browser version will soon lose the ability to connect to their CUIMC email, as Microsoft is discontinuing support for Basic Authentication. Current, supported apps and browsers use Modern Authentication, which is already used at CUIMC and is more secure than Basic Authentication.  While most at CUIMC are using a supported app and Modern Authentication, a small number still use an outdated, unsupported app on their computer or mobile device.

Microsoft originally planned to discontinue use of Basic Authentication in October 2020 but postponed due in part to the pandemic. To encourage use of Modern Authentication before any final end of support, they will begin disabling Basic Authentication on a short-term and temporary basis for some who are still using it.  

To avoid losing connection to your email, please make sure you are using a current, supported program.

• Outlook 365 is free for current CUIMC faculty, staff, and students, and is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh.
• The Outlook app is free for mobile devices and tablets, see our instructions to set up your CUIMC email on iPhone/iPad or Android.
• Most web browsers can be updated by opening the browser, selecting Help in a menu bar at the top of the browser window, selecting About <browser name> and then any option to update or check for updates.
• If you do have problems connecting to your email at any point, Web Outlook via a current, updated browser can be used as a workaround: https://outlook.com/cumc.columbia.edu 

One simple way to tell if you are using Basic or Modern Authentication is the type of prompt you see when signing in to Outlook (or other Microsoft 365 apps):

• A sign in window that is web-based (it looks similar to signing in to Web Outlook and other Microsoft portals) uses Modern Authentication
• A prompt that looks similar to an older Windows computer login uses Basic Authentication

Note that apps may not prompt for a sign in every time if you have stored your password.

For more help or any specific questions please contact us or your Certified IT Group.