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Receive Email Securely (SSL/TLS)

Simmons requires the community to use SSL/TLS (encryption protocols) whenever accessing any email system.  When you use WebMail, your connection to your Simmons email account is encrypted.  If you use email software to access your Simmons email, please read on.

SSL/TLS 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/TLS-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.

Below are instructions for configuring SSL/TLS in order to read from common email clients.

To send mail securely, see Sending Email Securely

Thunderbird (Mac or Windows)

1. Select the Tools menu option in Thunderbird
2. Select Account Settings
3. Select Server Settings 
4. Under "Use secure connection:" click SSL
5. After selecting this, the server port will change to  993 (IMAP)  or  995 (POP)
6. Click on the OK

To send mail securely, see Sending Email Securely

Apple Mail (for Mac OS X 10.3-10.5)

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
   After selecting this, the server port will change to 993 (IMAP) or 995 (POP)
6. Close the window. You will then be prompted to Save your changes. Select Save.

To send mail securely, see Sending Email Securely

Microsoft Outlook 2007

These instructions are for setting up Outlook 2007 to both send and receive email securely.

1. Open Outlook 2007.
2. Click Tools, then click Account Settings and the Email Account window appears.
3. Click the E-mail tab (located on the far left), then click Change and the Change E-Mail Account window appears.
4. Click the More Settings button and the Internet Email Settings window appears.
5. Click the Advanced tab
   1. Incoming server should say either 993 (or for POP, 995 - not recommended)
   2. Next to "Use the following type of encrypted connection", choose SSL from the drop-down menu
   3. Outgoing server should say 587
   4. Next to "Use the following type of encrypted connection", choose TLS from the drop-down menu
6. Click OK, then Next, then Finish.
7. For use off-campus, click the "Outgoing Server" tab. Be sure "My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication" is checked, and the radio button "Use same settings as my incoming mail server" is selected.
   Note: In some cases, your ISP may not allow use of a different SMTP server; if you have trouble sending when you are off-campus, contact your ISP.

To send mail securely, see Sending Email Securely