Off-campus: sending mailSecuring Email (SSL)

Technology

Securing Email (SSL)

Simmons encourages the community to use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) whenever accessing any email system.  If you are using WebMail, your connection to your Simmons email account is  encrypted.  If you use email software to access your Simmons email, please read on.

SSL encrypts the connection between your email client and the server so passwords and data are not communicated in clear text. All newer versions of common e-mail clients (such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook, and Apple Mail) support SSL-based POP and IMAP connections.  For more general instructions about Simmons email server settings, including a description of the differences between IMAP and POP, please see: Set Up Email Software to Access Simmons Account.

SSL Settings for Common Email Clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail)

Thunderbird (Mac or Windows)

  1. Select the Tools menu option in Thunderbird
  2. Select Account Settings
  3. Select Sever Settings option
  4. Click the checkbox for Use Secure Connection (SSL)
  5. After selecting this, the server port will change to  993 (IMAP)  or  995 (POP)
  6. Click on the OK button to commit your changes

Microsoft Outlook Express 2003 (Windows only)

  1. Select the Tools menu in Outlook
  2. Select the Email Accounts menu option
  3. Select View or Change Existing E-mail Accounts and click Next
  4. A list of accounts will appear in a new window. Click on your Simmons account to edit it, and select the Change button
  5. Click on the Advanced tab
  6. The "Email Accounts" window will appear. Click More Settings... button.
  7. Select the Advanced tab
  8. Locate "Incoming server (IMAP)" or "Incoming server (POP)" and make sure the following checkbox directly underneath is selected:
          This server requires an encrypted connection
  9. After selecting this, the listed server port will change to 993 (IMAP) or 995 (POP)
  10. Click on the OK button to commit your changes.

Apple Mail (for Mac OS X 10.3)

  1. Select the Mail menu option in Apple Mail
  2. Select Preferences to open a new settings window
  3. Select the Accounts icon. The account you are updating should be highlighted at the left.
  4. Click the Advanced tab
  5. Click the checkbox for Use SSL
  6. After selecting this, the server port will change to 993 (IMAP) or 995 (POP)
  7. Close the window. You will then be prompted to Save your changes. Select Save.