MICROSOFT has announced a wave of changes that could affect how people access their emails and even block some apps.
And the move may affect a number of Gmail users too.
It’s all to do with third party websites and apps that allow people to access their emails on alternative platforms instead of the email provider’s own ones.
Microsoft is beefing up security and doing away with its older login system in a bid to keep out hackers once and for all.
Very soon all apps and websites used to access Outlook, Hotmail or Live emails will need to adopt a tougher tech called Modern Authentication.
This means any platforms you use to access your emails with the old way in place – known officially as Basic Authentication – will not work.
These are apps that only rely on a username and password to sign into accounts.
The changes come into effect from September 16.
“Anyone who is attempting to use an application which does not support modern authentication will no longer be able to access their Outlook.com, Hotmail or Live.com email from those applications,” Microsoft said.
Additionally, the light version of the Outlook Web App will no longer work after August 19.
As part of the shake-up, the firm has reminded users that the Windows Mail and Calendar apps will also lose support by the end of 2024.
Instead, Microsoft is urging users to switch to the new Outlook for Windows app.
How does it affect me?
If you’re using the official Outlook or Gmail app, you need not worry.
And even if you are affected, your account and emails are going no where.
This applies to any third party apps not made by Microsoft that don’t comply with its new rules.
So there’s no definitive list of apps affected right now and there’s still time for other app creators to update their apps to follow the stricter standard.
Check information from your email app provider.
And if they aren’t going to take up “Modern Authentication” you might want to switch to a different app.
One other change may affect some Gmail users too.
At the end of the month, it will no longer be possible to use Outlook.com to access a Gmail account.
But the Outlook for Windows app and Outlook for Mac will still continue to allow Gmail access.
“We are taking these actions to ensure that we’re able to continue to best serve our customers and to keep their data as safe as possible,” explained David Los, partner group product manager for Outlook.
“These changes will help us continue to do so and better serve the people who depend on Outlook in their daily lives.”