Manually configuring Thunderbird for secure login

It is recommended you update Thunderbird to its most recent version by downloading and installing it from the UVM Software Archive.

Once you've updated (or if you are already running the most recent version), verify your connection settings as outlined below.

Incoming mail

1. In Thunderbird's top menu bar, click on Tools and then Account Settings.
2. From the list of categories on the left, choose Server Settings.
• If you have more than one mail account in Thunderbird, choose the Server Settings listed under your UVM mail account.
3. For connection security, select STARTTLS.
   • If you do not have STARTTLS as an option, select just TLS.

   Do not choose anything listing "SSL" for connection security.
   Do not check "Use secure authentication."

4. Click OK.

Outgoing mail

1. In Thunderbird's top menu bar, click on Tools and then Account Settings.
2. From the list of categories on the left, choose Outgoing Server (SMTP).
3. In the list of available mail servers, select your UVM outgoing mail server (smtp.uvm.edu) and click the Edit.. button on the right.
4. For connection security, select STARTTLS.
   • If you do not have STARTTLS as an option, select just TLS.

   Do not choose anything listing "SSL" for connection security.
   Do not check "Use secure authentication."

5. Click OK, and then OK again.

Additional Details

ETS has tested a variety of combinations of security settings in different versions of Thunderbird. The settings outlined above are recommended. If, however, the recommended settings do not work for you, you may try one of the sucessful combinations in the table below.

Full test details for Thunderbird versions 3.x and 2.x:

Thunderbird 3.0.x
Trial #	IMAP port/security settings	SMTP port/security settings	Send Test	Receive Test	Version/Build
Trial 1	imap:143:STARTTLS	smtp:587:STARTTLS	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v3.0.4
Trial 2	imap:143:STARTTLS	smtp:587:SSL/TLS	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v3.0.4
Trial 3	imap:993:SSL/TLS	smtp:587:STARTTLS	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v3.0.4
Trial 4	imap:993:SSL/TTLS	smtp:587:SSL/TLS	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v3.0.4
Thunderbird 2.0.x
Trial #	IMAP port/security settings	SMTP port/security settings	Send Test	Receive Test	Version/Build
Trial 1	imap:143:TLS	smtp:587:TLS	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 2	imap:143:TLS if Available	smtp:587:TLS	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 3	imap:143:TLS	smtp:587:TLS if Available	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 4	imap:143:TLS if Available	smtp:587:TLS if Available	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 5	imap:993:SSL	smtp:587:TLS	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 6	imap:993:SSL	smtp:587:TLS if Available	Successful	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 7	imap:993:SSL	smtp:587:SSL	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 8	imap:143:TLS	smtp:587:SSL	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 9	imap:143:TLS if Available	smtp:587:SSL	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 10	imap:993:SSL	smtp:465:SSL	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 11	imap:143:TLS	smtp:465:SSL	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)
Trial 12	imap:143:TLS if Available	smtp:465:SSL	Failed	Successful	Thunderbird v2.0.0.24 (20100228)

Last modified February 13 2013 02:57 PM