Sending and Receiving Mail Using SSL with Thunderbird

SSL causes your passwords and the contents of your messages to be transmitted between your computer and the mail server over an encrypted connection.

1.  Open Thunderbird mail and select Account Settings… from the Tools menu.
In the Account Settings list on the left of the window, click the entry for Server Settings. 

NOTE: Whether you are using imap-server.its.caltech.edu or pop-server.its.caltech.edu as your incoming email server, smtp-server.its.caltech.edu should be your outgoing email server.

2.  The right side of the Account Settings window will display the Server Settings.  If you are using IMAP, the port should be set to 993.  For POP, the port should be set to  995.  Click the SSL radio button within the Security Settings section. 

3.  Enter 15 in the Check for new messages every ___ minutes field.

4.  In the Accounts Settings list on the left of the window, click the entry for Outgoing Server (SMTP).

5.  Click on the Edit… button.

6.  Click the radio button, underneath Use secure connection: labeled SSL.

7.  If your Internet Service Provider blocks port 465 use port 25.

8.  Click the OK button.