SMTP Authentication
Safeguard the delivery of your emails
SMTP authentication helps to minimize issues sending email using email software. It helps to ensure email sent from the RCN network is from legitimate customers and not spammers, therefore reducing SPAM. This change will safeguard the delivery of your future emails so they reach their intended recipient.
How to make this change
We’re here to help. If you use email software such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows Mail or MAC (Apple) Mail (for example), you will need to ensure you are ready for this change. It’s simple and easy and only takes a few moments.
It’s easy and we’re here to help
The most common email software is listed below. Click on the one you are currently using for instruction on how to enable SMTP authentication.
If the email software you are using today is not listed below, a quick web search is all you need. Open a new page in your browser and search “how do I enable SMTP authentication”.
Have other questions?
For additional information on this topic and to learn more, see our frequently asked questions.
- Why is it important?
The new additional layer functions in two ways. First, it verifies the configuration of the computer from where the email is being sent and grants permission for the process. Second, it sends out the message and reports successful acceptance of the email for delivery. If the email cannot be delivered, it’s returned-to-sender or bounces back. If email is not authenticated, your email is less likely to be delivered due to spam filters on the receiving party’s network.
- What is the benefit?
It helps to ensure email sent from the RCN network is from legitimate customers and not spammers, therefore reducing SPAM.
- Why are you requiring this now?
In the past, mail servers would allow email to be sent through them without a process for checking who was sending the message. This resulted in large amounts of spam, unwanted mail and compromised accounts. It was very easy to forge email that looked to be fully legitimate, which led to security compromises. This spam causes deliverability problems and blacklisting that lead to widespread customer calls, frustration, and complaints. By adding an additional layer of security to email accounts, only users that know the username and password of the accounts can send mail through mail servers.
- What happens if I don’t set this up?
If you do not set this up by the date we have specified, and you want to send email after that date, you will receive a message that email has failed and has not been sent. You will likely be prompted to enter your user name and password in order to proceed and your email software will provide an error every time you attempt to send an email.
- What is the downside?
There is no downside. The steps are outlined here and you can always call us for assistance if you need help reconfiguring your email software or if you can no longer send mail. We already assist customers today who travel outside the RCN service area and the set-up takes only a few moments to complete – the process is quite simple.
- I only use my RCN webmail account. Does this apply to me?
No. Only email software applications like Microsoft Outlook (for example) require SMTP authentication.
- What about Gmail, Yahoo! Mail or Hotmail? Does it apply to these?
No. Only email software applications like Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, MAC (Apple) Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, etc. require SMTP authentication.
- What’s the difference between Microsoft Outlook and Gmail?
Gmail or Yahoo is a webmail interface. Microsoft Outlook is a software application that allows you to manage any email address you wish to configure.
- What is email software?
It’s an application (i.e. Microsoft Outlook, Windows Mail, Mozilla Mail, Netscape, Outlook Express, Pegasus Mail, Thunderbird, or Windows Live Mail). It runs on a PC and enables you to send, receive and organize e-mail.
