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how to upgrade from basic to modern authentication

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by david

dhslavi
dhslavi
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my university IT does not support Thunderbird, and has been warning me that on Oct 1, "basic authentication" will be retired. As a non-tech person, I could not understand the reply to my questions. A tech person I know could not figure out what to do, but he would be able to implement whatever instructions are given in response to this inquiry

Below is the answer IT sent me:


Technically what is being retired in October is basic authentication; I can confirm that your account is using basic authentication. Usually I can also provide a UserAgent string as reported by the client, but in this case whatever basic authentication client you are using is only reporting "-" as the UserAgent (normally that would display something more helpful):

image001.png

I have a different report that lists users of IMAP based on protocol logs, in which your NetID does appear so my guess is the above is Thunderbird, but I cannot be 100% certain.

You are correct that Emory does not support Thunderbird. Newer versions of Thunderbird do support modern authentication. I can send links to configuration pages (e.g. the Wisconsin help page at Office 365 (Thunderbird) - Configure Modern Authentication (wisc.edu)) but cannot offer help if you have difficulties getting modern authentication working properly within Thunderbird. OIT's official recommendation for email clients is to use Outlook (either as a client, or via Outlook on the web and Outlook Mobile).

Ultimately it's the permission to use basic authentication which must be addressed prior to October (as Microsoft themselves will be turning off basic authentication at that point, and we will not be able to grant any exceptions so clients will break). I can remove your permission to basic authentication when we believe that you are no longer using it (or, if we need to figure out what the above client is, to disable *temporarily* and see what breaks). You will always be able to use Outlook on the web (http://email.emory.edu) to read your mail even if we disable basic auth and that breaks your preferred client.

my university IT does not support Thunderbird, and has been warning me that on Oct 1, "basic authentication" will be retired. As a non-tech person, I could not understand the reply to my questions. A tech person I know could not figure out what to do, but he would be able to implement whatever instructions are given in response to this inquiry Below is the answer IT sent me: Technically what is being retired in October is basic authentication; I can confirm that your account is using basic authentication. Usually I can also provide a UserAgent string as reported by the client, but in this case whatever basic authentication client you are using is only reporting "-" as the UserAgent (normally that would display something more helpful): image001.png I have a different report that lists users of IMAP based on protocol logs, in which your NetID does appear so my guess is the above is Thunderbird, but I cannot be 100% certain. You are correct that Emory does not support Thunderbird. Newer versions of Thunderbird do support modern authentication. I can send links to configuration pages (e.g. the Wisconsin help page at Office 365 (Thunderbird) - Configure Modern Authentication (wisc.edu)) but cannot offer help if you have difficulties getting modern authentication working properly within Thunderbird. OIT's official recommendation for email clients is to use Outlook (either as a client, or via Outlook on the web and Outlook Mobile). Ultimately it's the permission to use basic authentication which must be addressed prior to October (as Microsoft themselves will be turning off basic authentication at that point, and we will not be able to grant any exceptions so clients will break). I can remove your permission to basic authentication when we believe that you are no longer using it (or, if we need to figure out what the above client is, to disable *temporarily* and see what breaks). You will always be able to use Outlook on the web (http://email.emory.edu) to read your mail even if we disable basic auth and that breaks your preferred client.

All Replies (1)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If you are referring to Exchange/Office365 authentication, I suggest you pursue one of these two addons: Exquilla or OWL. When I worked at a university a few years ago, I had identical situation and Exquilla gave me full access. There is a fee, but it's not expensive. And maybe I misunderstood what you're saying, since you were not specific.