SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer protocol (port 25), is a protocol that can be used by your computer, tablet or smartphone to communicate with an email server (Gmail, Yahoo!, your TU student account, etc). Unencrypted SMTP requires no authentication. This exposes your identity and private emails to cyber criminals who may be trying to steal your information. In an effort to help protect your privacy and identity, the Office of Technology Services will be disabling unencrypted, simple SMTP (port 25) access from campus beginning today, Wednesday, July 16.
Please note that beginning today, you will not be able to sync to a mail server over simple SMTP. This change does not affect encrypted SMTP or SMTP over SSL (ports 465, 587, etc). Most providers, including your Towson University email account, already require encrypted mail sync protocols and thus will not be affected. However, if your computer, tablet, or smartphone is set up to connect to another mail server, such as a private email account, you may need to change your sync settings to encrypted SMTP. Resources for changing the settings are below.
Managing your Outlook account
Gmail: Problems sending mail with POP or IMAP
iPhone Support: Mail, Contact & Calendars
Samsung How-To Guides – POP and IMAP Email setup
For questions, call the OTS Help Center at 410-704-5151.
