IT Helpdesk
Menu

Microsoft services will require number matching on Microsoft Authenticator as of 27 February 2023

25.01.2023 - 15:10
Ingress

Microsoft will set number matching as a mandatory authentication method on Microsoft Authenticator for all services that use Microsoft Azure for logging in (incl. Microsoft 365 services such as Outlook, Teams, Excel and Word) as of Monday, 27 February 2023 due to information security. Number matching will further strengthen the protection provided by Multifactor Authentication by making scamming and phishing attempts more difficult.

The change concerns University staff and students who use the Microsoft Authenticator application’s verification message as their authentication method. Due to the change, authentication to the University's Microsoft services by simply selecting “yes” or “no” via the verification message on your phone will no longer work. From 27 February onward, authentication will require you to enter a verification number in the Microsoft Authenticator application.

Note: This change does not apply to you if you use a phone call or a one-time login code as your primary authentication method for the University's Microsoft services.

If you use Microsoft Authenticator’s verification message as your authentication method for the University's Microsoft services:

  1. Update your Microsoft Authenticator application to the latest version from your phone's application store as soon as possible to ensure uninterrupted access to the University’s Microsoft services. Number matching and therefore logging in to University Microsoft services with this authentication method will require an up-to-date version of the Microsoft Authenticator application.
  2. Starting on Monday, 27 February 2023, you will receive a number matching message in the Microsoft Authenticator application on your phone when you authenticate to the University's Microsoft services. The required verification number is displayed on the screen of the computer or the device on which you are logging in to Microsoft services. In the Microsoft Authenticator application on your phone, enter the number sequence that appears on your device screen in the number field.              
  3.  If you do not recognise the login request, click “No, it’s not me.” If you suspect a phishing attempt, contact IT Helpdesk immediately: helpdesk@helsinki.fi.

 

Also read the IT Helpdesk instructions for multi-factor authentication with the Microsoft Authenticator application.

If you need additional support with the Microsoft Authenticator application’s number verification, please contact the IT Helpdesk:

Back to top