Secure POP for Thunderbird for Windows

Please note that we are unable to support email clients configured in this manner; the recommended and supported solution for accessing your NSIT email account is Mozilla Thunderbird, as configured by the NSIT Connectivity Package. You can pick up the Connectivity Package free of charge from the ID & Privileges Office or the NSIT Solution Center.

Configuration Instructions

To connect with NSIT email servers, use Thunderbird version 2.0 or higher. These instructions were written with Thunderbird 2.0 in mind. They assume that you have just installed Thunderbird and have not configured anything yet. To get started, open Thunderbird.

  1. Thunderbird will first ask if you wish to import anything. Click the "Don't import anything" radio button, then click Next.
  2. Next it will bring you to the New Account Setup. Click Next.

    New Account Setup
  3. Thunderbird will ask you for your name and your email address.

    Identity
  4. For "Your Name" put your full name.
  5. For "Email Address" put your @uchicago.edu email address.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Thunderbird will then ask you for your mail server information.

    IMAP server information
  8. For "Incoming Server" put pop.uchicago.edu
  9. For "Outgoing Server" put authsmtp.uchicago.edu
  10. Click Next.
  11. Thunderbird will then ask you for your usernames.
  12. Put your CNetID for both the Incoming and Outgoing User Name.
  13. Click Next.
  14. Thunderbird will then ask you to name this account. We suggest just taking whatever Thunderbird gives you.
  15. Click Next.
  16. Thunderbird will summarize the information the wizard has gathered. If the information is correct, click Finish.
  17. Thunderbird will try to check your email. However, it will give an error because there are changes that still need to be made to secure your connection. After you get the time out error message, go to Tools → Account Settings...
  18. This will bring up the account settings. Click on Server Settings.

    IMAP server information
  19. Click on the box next to "Use secure connection (SSL)". This should change the port to 995.
  20. In the left sidebar, click on "Outgoing Server (SMTP)". There should be one entry in this menu for "authsmtp.uchicago.edu." Click on it, then press the "Edit" button. You should see a configuration window. Make sure your settings match the following, though you can feel free to choose any description you like!

    POP Secure Settings

Thunderbird is now configured to check email securely on NSIT email servers!

Last updated: 10/03/06