Authenticated Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) allows
for greater security in sending messages over the SMTP channel. When enabled in
the user's mail client, authenticated SMTP requires users to enter their
password before being allowed to send messages.
How Does It Work?
General information on Authenticated SMTP
SMTP is the protocol computers use to send and receive
email. Your email program or client uses it to send mail to the "smtp server".
The smtp server then routes the mail to its destination. In general, SMTP is
anonymous. That is, the host receiving mail has no way to verify the sender.
In the case of an smtp server, which plays an intermediary
role between your computer and the destination of the message, it is highly
desirable to verify who the sender is before sending the message out to its
destination. This is where authenticated smtp comes in.
Most popular email programs have by now included an
optional setting called authenticated smtp. They can send your user id and
password to the smtp server, so that the smtp server can verify that it is you
sending the message. Otherwise, anyone could fake your address as the sender
and try to trick the smtp server into handling the mail.
What is required to use Authenicated SMTP?
- Your e-mail software must support SSL (secure socket
layer).
- Your ISP must allow you to customize your outgoing mail
settings to use that server; an increasing number of ISPs require you to use
one of their outgoing (SMTP) servers.
Configuring Software
In the tables below, we have identified for you which
email programs support authenticated smtp and have provided instructions for
the most common clients and operating systems used here at Penn State.
Note: We will continue to update the
instructions as they become available.
It is very important to configure e-mail correctly, as
improperly configured software will cause errors and/or delays.
Help and Resources
If you need assistance, contact the ITS Help Desks at
814-863-1035 or 814-863-2494. For locations and hours, see the
Help Desk Web
site.
