NOTICE: Minor changes to MFA Authentication App on Feb 27

To continue the evolution of multi-factor authentication at Concordia and increase security during sign-in, Microsoft has announced that a slight adjustment will be made to the Microsoft Authenticator App used on cell phones starting Monday, February 27. This minor change, called number matching, will impact the way we authenticate using multi-factor authentication (MFA) at Concordia.

This change will have no impact on those who have configured MFA for SMS, hardware token or their home phone.  

What will change?

Once the number-matching feature is enabled, when you try to log in to an MFA-protected application, you will be provided with a two-digit number. When you approve the login request in the Authenticator App, you will be asked to enter the respective number instead of simply accepting the authentication request.

What users must do/should know

• This measure is being implemented by Microsoft to combat MFA Fatigue Attacks, a new type of social engineering technique for compromising accounts.
• To ensure a seamless transition, please ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version of the authenticator app.
•  Please note that this small adjustment makes smartwatches incompatible for approval purposes.
• This change will have no impact on those who have configured MFA for SMS, hardware token or their home phone.
• If this change will impact your ability to sign into your accounts for reasons related to accessibility, please contact the IT Service Desk to review alternative options.

Resources and Support

If you experience any technical difficulties or if this change will impact your ability to sign for reasons related to accessibility, please contact the IT Service Desk by email at help@concordia.ca or call 514-848-2424, ext. 7613 between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekends.