As part of UCT’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) implementation, we advised that you may be using certain older applications to access UCT data (e.g. an old email client such as Outlook 2010), and that you needed to update these as they are incompatible with MFA.

Microsoft support for older applications to end soon

Microsoft will end support for such applications on 1st October 2022, but UCT has prohibited use of them a few weeks earlier. As a result, any applications using such protocols will no longer work with your UCT account. Examples include:

  • Android (Google) Mail
  • Gmail (web)
  • Samsung Mail (some versions work, but there is no definitive list or way of checking. Most do not)
  • Office 2010 (service pack 2 version 14.0.7182.5000 or later supports app passwords)
  • iOS versions before 11
  • Outlook for Mac 2011 (will work with app passwords)
  • Any email client using IMAP, SMTP, or POP3

What do I need to do?

If you are using any of the applications listed above to access your personal, non-UCT accounts, you do not need to do anything.

However, if you are using any of these to access your UCT data – e.g. your UCT email – please update the applications to Office 365 applications immediately. This applies on both mobile devices as well as computers. For more information on how to update your applications, see the Office 365 installation instructions for staff or students, as well as instructions for Android and iOS.

If you’re a Linux user, and the application in question is your email client, please note that the Outlook client will not work on Linux. As a result, if you want to keep accessing your email on your Linux machine, please either:

  1. Access your email via the Outlook web app, or 
  2. Use Thunderbird – with the configuration settings listed in this article.

If you are affected by this issue, we have sent an email to you with this information, and ask that you follow the instructions immediately. 

What happens if I don't update the application in time?
Once your application’s specific protocol is not supported, you will not be able to access your UCT account with that application. You won’t be able to connect, or you simply won't receive new content in that application.
Alternatively, you may receive a system email from Microsoft stating that “Your email access has been blocked.”

Help and feedback

For further information about legacy protocols, please read this article.

If you require advice or assistance, please contact the IT Helpdesk.