FAQ
- What is SSL/TLS and why is it important?
- My ISP blocks outgoing smtp traffic (port 25), how do I connect to the Mindstab mail relay?
What is SSL/TLS and why is it important?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are protocols for wrapping any regular Internet traffic in encryption. SSL/TLS simply insert themselves between two communicating programs on either end of a connection and transparently encrypt and decrypt the connection. The program has to be only aware enough to load the SSL/TLS functionality to use it. It doesn't have to do anything else as SSL/TLS transparently takes care of the rest. These days most client and server software supports SSL/TLS functionality.
SSL/TLS is very important in today's world where many protocols (HTTP, FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP to name a few) send user names and passwords in plain unencrypted text across the unsafe networks of the Internet. Anyone with a packet sniffer can gain access to all your sensitive data. Communication wrapped in SSL/TLS encryption is safe from this kind of attack.
SSL/TLS and FTP
Currently the FTP access for mindstab.net does not support SSL becasue it is buggy, doesn't play well with firewalls, and is an all around problem. If you need secure access for file transfer, ask for an SFTP account.SSL/TLS and POP3
When asked if you want to use a secure connection, select always.SSL/TLS and IMAP
When asked if you want to use a secure connection, select always.SSL/TLS and SMTP
When asked if you want to use a secure connection, select always. SMTP user login does not work without SSL.SSL/TLS and HTTP
My ISP blocks outgoing smtp traffic (port 25), how do I connect to the Mindstab mail relay?
A port redirect has been setup on port 8025. If you tell your mail client to send using mail.mindstab.net:8025 it should work, however due to port blocking of your ISP and the way smtp with user authentication and SSL works, it takes an inordinate amount of time (some kind of timeout error). Be patient, it will work.
