Improve E-mail Security with SSL—Windows, Macintosh, and Unix Platforms Netscape 4.7x

Netscape e-mail client users are now required to improve e-mail security by configuring this e-mail program for secure connections, also known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). To configure your e-mail client for SSL involves making a slight modification to your e-mail settings. Follow these instructions to secure your connection. To read more about the Encrypted Authentication Project, go to www.colorado.edu/its/security/encauth/

IMPORTANT NOTE: You must use IMAP as the server type for Netscape 4.7 or you will not be able to use SSL for incoming mail. Read more about IMAP at www.colorado.edu/its/docs/email/imap-pop.html

Configuring Netscape 4.7x for secure connections

1. Open Netscape Messenger from the Communicator drop-down menu.

2. In Messenger, select Preferences from the Edit menu.

3. In the Category menus, expand the section called Mail & Newsgroups.

4. Click on Mail Servers under the Mail & Newsgroups section.

5. On the right you will see a list of the accounts set up on the machine. Select the CU account you wish to make secure, and click the Edit... button.

6. In the window that opens, click on the IMAP tab. Check mark the box that says Use secure connection (SSL).

7. Click OK to close the Mail Server Properties window.

8. Now test what you have done by sending and receiving e-mail. You can do this by composing an e-mail to yourself, sending the e-mail, and checking for new messages. If this process runs successfully you have properly configured Netscape for secure connections.

9. If you run into errors while checking or sending mail, go through steps 1-8 to verify the configuration changes you have made.

10. Congratulations! Netscape Messenger should now be set for secure connections (SSL).

Get Help

To get help with setting up SSL for your e-mail client, contact the IT Service Center by phone at 303-735-HELP (5-4357 from an on-campus phone), by e-mail at help@colorado.edu, or in person at the IT Service Center walk-in (located two buildings east of the UMC).

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