Information Technology

Email - POP/IMAP clients

Security: Reconfiguration of POP and IMAP email clients

The University is no longer allowing insecure connections to our mail servers. This may mean you will have to re-configure your email client if you have set up your email client using insecure POP (port 110) or IMAP (port 143). All POP and IMAP connections should be using SSL on port 993 (IMAP) or 995 (POP). For an explanation of different server types and a list of supported email clients, see Email Server Types.

The following instructions do not apply to you if you do not check your UMass Boston email from off-campus, or if you only use Outlook Web Access (OWA) to check your email from off-campus, or if you have set up the desktop program Microsoft Outlook in your laptop or home desktop to access the Exchange Server directly (read instructions below to check).

Instructions for specific clients:

Email server types

There are three main types of e‑mail servers. (You don’t need to understand the details about these server types; you just need to find out which one your e‑mail service uses for incoming mail.)

Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) servers.
Most e‑mail services and ISPs use this type of server, especially for personal e‑mail accounts. They hold incoming e‑mail messages until you check your e‑mail, at which point they're transferred to your computer. Messages are typically deleted from the server when you check your e‑mail.

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) servers.
These servers let you work with e‑mail messages without downloading them to your computer first. You can preview, delete, and organize messages directly on the e‑mail server. Copies are stored on the server until you delete them. IMAP is commonly used for business e‑mail accounts but are increasingly common for personal email as well.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) servers.
This outgoing mail server handles the sending of your e‑mail messages to the Internet. An SMTP server handles only the outgoing e‑mail, and is used in conjunction with a POP3 or IMAP incoming e‑mail server.

The email clients we support

  •   Microsoft Outlook Express and Outlook 2000 for Windows
  •   Microsoft Outlook 2002 (XP) and 2003 for Windows
  •   Microsoft Outlook 2007 for Windows
  •   Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.019 for Windows
  •   Gmail
  •   Windows Mail on Windows Vista
  •   Apple Mail (Mac OSX)
  •   Microsoft Entourage for Mac

Following are step-by-step instructions for re-configuring some of the more common email clients. We use a few conventions throughout the instructions below:

  • File→Exit means "from the File menu, select Exit".
  • Information you should enter exactly as shown is enclosed in 'single quotes'. When entering this information, omit the quotes.

If you are having trouble following these instructions, or have a correction, suggestion, or addition, please email us at ITServiceDesk@umb.edu or call the service desk at 617-287-5220.


Windows XP and Outlook 2003

Start –› Control Panel –› Mail Icon

In the Mail Setup Dialog Box, choose “Email Account” button

In the Email Account Dialog Box, choose the “view or change existing email accounts” radio button

In the next Email Account Dialog Box, it should state the name of the server and its type

Windows Vista and Outlook 2007

Start –› Control Panel –› Mail Icon

In the Mail Setup Dialog Box, choose “Email Account” button

In the next Account Setting Dialog Box; it should state the name of the server and its type.

POP Settings- Microsoft Outlook Express and Outlook 2000 for Windows

  1. Launch Outlook Express or Outlook 2000 and logon.
  2. Select Tools–›Accounts.
  3. In the Internet Accounts window that opens, click on the Mail tab.
  4. Select the name of your email account, and click the Properties button.
  5. In the Properties window that opens, click on the Servers tab.
  6. Ensure that the value of "Incoming server (POP3)" reads 'POP.UMB.EDU'.
  7. In the Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
  8. Under "Incoming Mail (POP3)", click on the checkbox for the setting "This server requires a secure connection "(SSL)", if it's not already checked. The port number displayed should change automatically to '995' (POP); if not, change it.
  9. Click OK to save the settings and close the Properties window

IMAP Settings- Microsoft Outlook Express and Outlook 2000 for Windows

  1. Launch Outlook Express or Outlook 2000 and logon.
  2. Select Tools–›Accounts.
  3. In the Internet Accounts window that opens, click on the Mail tab.
  4. Select the name of your email account, and click the Properties button.
  5. In the Properties window that opens, click on the Servers tab.
  6. Ensure that the value of "Incoming server (IMAP)" reads 'IMAP.UMB.EDU'.
  7. In the Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
  8. Under "Incoming Mail (IMAP)", click on the checkbox for the setting "This server requires a secure connection "(SSL)", if it's not already checked. The port number displayed should change automatically to '993' (IMAP); if not, change it.
  9. Click OK to save the settings and close the Properties window

 

POP Settings- Microsoft Outlook 2002 (XP) and 2003 for Windows

  1. Logon to Outlook 2002 or 2003.
  2. Select Tools–›E-mail Accounts.
  3. In the E-mail Accounts wizard that opens, choose "View or change existing e-mail accounts", and click Next.
  4. Select the email account in the list, and click on the Change button.
  5. Ensure that the value of "Incoming mail server (POP3)" is 'POP.UMB.EDU'.
  6. Click the More Settings button.
  7. In the Internet E-mail Settings window that opens, click the Advanced tab.
  8. If it's not already checked, click on the setting for "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)" (for Outlook 2002) or "This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL)" (for Outlook 2003) under "Incoming server (POP3)". The port number displayed should change automatically to '995' (POP); if not, change it.
  9. Click OK to save the settings and close the Internet E-mail Settings window.
  10. In the E-mail Accounts window, click Next.
  11. Click Finish.

IMAP Settings- Microsoft Outlook 2002 (XP) and 2003 for Windows

  1. Logon to Outlook 2002 or 2003.
  2. Select Tools–›E-mail Accounts.
  3. In the E-mail Accounts wizard that opens, choose "View or change existing e-mail accounts", and click Next.
  4. Select the email account in the list, and click on the Change button.
  5. Ensure that the value of "Incoming mail server (IMAP)" is 'IMAP.umb.edu'.
  6. Click the More Settings button.
  7. In the Internet E-mail Settings window that opens, click the Advanced tab.
  8. If it's not already checked, click on the setting for "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)" (for Outlook 2002) or "This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL)" (for Outlook 2003) under "Incoming server (IMAP)". The port number displayed should change automatically to '993' (IMAP); if not, change it.
  9. Click OK to save the settings and close the Internet E-mail Settings window.
  10. In the E-mail Accounts window, click Next.
  11. Click Finish

 

POP Settings- Microsoft Outlook 2007 for Windows

  1. Logon to Outlook 2007
  2. Select Tools–›Account Settings.
  3. In the Account Settings that opens, select the E-mail tab.
  4.  Select the email account in the list, and click Change
  5. Look under the section that says Server Information.  Look to the right of "Incoming mail server:" It should be 'POP.umb.edu'.
  6. While in Change E-mail Account, click the More Settings button.
  7. Click the Advanced tab.
  8. If it's not already checked, click on the setting for "This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL)" for "Incoming server (POP3):". The port number displayed should change automatically to '995' (POP); if not, change it.
  9. Click OK
  10. Click Next
  11. Click Finish
  12. Click Close

IMAP Settings- Microsoft Outlook 2007 for Windows

  1. Logon to Outlook 2007
  2. Select Tools–›Account Settings...
  3. In the Account Settings that opens, select the E-mail tab.
  4. Select the email account in the list, and click Change…
  5. Look under the section that says Server Information.  Look to the right of "Incoming mail server:" It should be is 'IMAP.UMB.EDU'.
  6. While in Change E-mail Account, click the More Settings button.
  7. Click the Advanced tab.
  8. If the  'Incoming server (IMAP):' is not '993 ', change it as follows:
  9. Click on the downward pointing arrow to the right of where it says "Use the following type of encrypted connection: "
  10. Select 'SSL' from the list.  The port number displayed should change automatically to '993'.
  11. Click OK
  12. Click Next
  13. Click Finish
  14. Click Close

 

POP Settings- Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.019 for Windows

  1. Launch and logon to Thunderbird.
  2. Select Tools–›Account Settings.
  3. In the Account Settings window that opens, find your email account in the left pane (you may need to scroll down to see this). Select Server Settings under your account; incoming server settings will be displayed in the right pane.
  4. Ensure that the value of "Server Name" is 'email.umb.edu'.
  5. Under Security Settings, ensure that the option for SSL is selected. The port displayed should change to '995' (POP) automatically; if not, change it.
  6. Click OK to save your settings and close the Account Settings window.

IMAP Settings- Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.019 for Windows

  1. Launch and logon to Thunderbird.
  2. Select Tools–›Account Settings.
  3. In the Account Settings window that opens, find your email account in the left pane (you may need to scroll down to see this). Select Server Settings under your account; incoming server settings will be displayed in the right pane.
  4. Ensure that the value of "Server Name" is 'email.umb.edu'.
  5. Under Security Settings, ensure that the option for SSL is selected. The port displayed should change to '993' (IMAP) automatically; if not, change it.
  6. Click OK to save your settings and close the Account Settings window

 

POP Settings- Windows Mail on Windows Vista

  1. Logon to Windows Mail.
  2. Select Tools–›Accounts.
  3. In the Internet Accounts window that opens, look under Mail.
  4. Select the name of your email account, and click the Properties button.
  5. In the Properties window that opens, click on the Servers tab.
  6. Ensure that the value of "Incoming server (POP3)" reads 'email.umb.edu'.
  7. Click on the Advanced tab.
  8. Look in the section titled "Server Port Numbers".  Under "Incoming Mail (POP3)", click on the checkbox for the setting "This server requires a secure connection "(SSL)", if it's not already checked. The port number displayed should change automatically to '995' (POP); if not, change it.
  9. Click OK to save the settings and close the Properties window


IMAP Settings- Windows Mail on Windows Vista

  1. Logon to Windows Mail.
  2. Select Tools–›Accounts.
  3. In the Internet Accounts window that opens, look under Mail.
  4. Select the name of your email account, and click the Properties button.
  5. In the Properties window that opens, click on the Servers tab.
  6. Ensure that the value of "Incoming server (IMAP)" reads 'email.umb.edu'.
  7. Click on the Advanced tab.
  8. Under "Incoming Mail (IMAP)", click on the checkbox for the setting "This server requires a secure connection "(SSL)", if it's not already checked. The port number displayed should change automatically to '993' (IMAP); if not, change it.

Gmail 
Incoming Gmail (Receiving UMB mail)

  1. Click Settings in the top right corner.
  2. Click the Accounts tab.
  3. Look under the section that says “Get mail from other accounts:” and click the link Add a mail account you own.
  4. Enter: firstname.lastname@umb.edu in the text field next to “Email address:”.
  5. Hit Next Step
  6. Under username, type: First name and last name
  7. Under password, type: (whatever your password is)
  8. Leave POP Server as it is: email.umb.edu
  9. Leave Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail checked.
  10. Leave Port as 995.
  11. Check the box leave a copy of retrieved message on the server if you want copies remaining in your UMB inbox, otherwise leave as is.
  12. We highly recommend checking label incoming messages, and selecting New label..., and typing: UMB (as the new label name)
  13. If you don't want these mingling in your inbox with your Gmail email, check archive incoming messages. You'll just have to make sure you check the UMB label you've just made once in a while so that nothing escapes your attention and to periodically check you UMB email account to clean it out so that you don’t run over your quota.
  14. Click Add Account.
  15. You might get a response saying “Your mail account has been added”.  It will prompt you to setup the sending configuration.  Select Yes, I want to be able to send mail as firstname.lastname@umb.edu.
  16. Click Next Step.


Outgoing Gmail (Sending UMB mail)
 Now, if you want to send out as yourusername@umb.edu from Gmail

  1. Click Next Step
  2. Click Send Verification.
  3. You will be prompted to either “Click on the link in the confirmation email” or to “Enter and verify the confirmation code”.  You have to wait until you receive the message in your UMB email account before proceeding.  This may take several minutes or longer, so please be patient until you get it.
  4. Once you have completed the verification process, your account should be configured and to send and receive.
  5. Once you're done, you should be able to see a dropdown menu when you compose new messages. From there, you can choose to send email as firstname.lastname@umb.edu or yourusername@gmal.com using the dropdown arrow to the right of the From: field during a new message composition.

     

POP Settings- Apple Mail (Mac OS X)


  1. Launch and logon to Mail.
  2. Select Mail–›Preferences.
  3. In the new window that opens, select the Accounts icon at the top.
  4. In Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5, select the name of your UMass Boston email account in the Accounts list at the left. In Mac OS X 10.2, select the name of your UMass Boston email account in the Description field, and click Edit; this opens an Accounts window.
  5. Ensure that the value of "Incoming Mail Server" is ‘email.umb.edu’.
  6. Select the Advanced tab.
  7. Next to the Port or “Connect to server using port” setting, ensure that “Use SSL” is checked. The port number displayed should change automatically to 995; if not change it manually.
  8. On Mac OS x 10.2, click OK to close the Accounts window.
  9. Close Mail’s Preferences window and agree to save the changes if asked.

IMAP Settings-  Apple Mail (Mac OS X)


  1. Launch and logon to Mail.
  2. Select Mail–›Preferences.
  3. In the new window that opens, select the Accounts icon at the top.
  4. In Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5, select the name of your UMass Boston email account in the Accounts list at the left.
  5. In Mac OS X 10.2, select the name of your UMass Boston email account in the Description field, and click Edit; this opens an Accounts window.
  6. Ensure that the value of "Incoming Mail Server" is ‘email.umb.edu’..
  7. Select the Advanced tab.
  8. Next to the Port or “Connect to server using port” setting, ensure that “Use SSL” is checked. The port number displayed should change automatically to 993; if not change it manually.
  9. On Mac OS x 10.2, click OK to close the Accounts window.
  10. Close Mail’s Preferences window and agree to save the changes if asked.

POP Settings- Microsoft Entourage for Mac


  1. Launch and logon to Entourage.
  2. Select Tools–›Account Settings (Entourage X) or Tools–›Accounts (Entourage 2004 and 2008).
  3. In the window that opens, select the Mail tab.
  4. Select the name of your UMass Boston email account, and click Edit; this opens an "Edit Account" window.
  5. Under "Receiving Mail", ensure that the value of "POP server" is ‘email.umb.edu’.
  6. Click on the button "Click here for advanced receiving options".
  7. In the window that appears, click on the setting "This POP service requires a secure connection (SSL)". The port number displayed should change automatically to 995; if not change it manually.
  8. Click the small box in the upper left hand corner of the advanced receiving options window to close it.
  9. Under “Sending Mail”, ensure that the value of "SMTP server" is also ‘email.umb.edu’.
  10. Click OK to save your settings and close the "Edit Account" window.
  11. Close the "Accounts" window (use the red button at the top left of the window).

IMAP Settings-Microsoft Entourage for Mac


  1. Launch and logon to Entourage.
  2. Select Tools–›Account Settings (Entourage X) or Tools–›Accounts (Entourage 2004 and 2008).
  3. In the window that opens, select the Mail tab.
  4. Select the name of your UMass Boston email account, and click Edit; this opens an "Edit Account" window.
  5. Under "Receiving Mail", ensure that the value of "IMAP server" is ‘email.umb.edu’.
  6. Click on the button "Click here for advanced receiving options".
  7. In the window that appears, click on the setting "This IMAP service requires a secure connection (SSL)". The port number displayed should change automatically to 993; if not change it manually.
  8. Click the small box in the upper left hand corner of the advanced receiving options window to close it.
  9. Under “Sending Mail”, ensure that the value of "SMTP server" is also ‘email.umb.edu’.
  10. Click OK to save your settings and close the "Edit Account" window.
  11. Close the "Accounts" window (use the red button at the top left of the window).