Authenticated SMTP is an extra service provided by govital internet. It allows you to send outgoing mail from any ISP. This is useful for people who use laptop computers and travel, making use of hotspots or other ISP's networks.

SMTP service is typically closed to customers outside of an ISP, to prevent spammers from using mail relay services. With this extra service, you can connect directly to a govital SMTP relay server, regardless of which ISP you are connected to. Furthermore, this connection is encrypted to protect your outgoing mail through the networks.

SMTP = Mail Transfer Protocol. A method for sending mail from one machine to another on the Internet.

ISP = Internet Service Provider. The organization that is providing your computer with a connection to the Internet. When you travel and use wireless hotspots, your ISP will change. ISP's have different settings and procedures for their services.

This document describes a step-by-step procedure to configure your outgoing mail server settings in Microsoft Outlook Express. You will need to know your authenticated SMTP relay username and password, which is provided to you by govital support staff.

Step 1: Edit the Mail Account

From the pull-down Tools menu, select Accounts. Select the email account that you wish to change and press Properties.

Step 2: Set the Outgoing SMTP Server

Click on the Servers tab. Change the setting of "Outgoing mail (SMTP)" to relay.govital.net. Make sure that you have placed a checkmark next to "My server requires authentication" and then press the Settings button.

Step 3: Define the Logon Information

Enable the "Log on using" option and then enter the username and password that were given to you by govital staff. Do not check "Secure Password Authentication". Press the OK button.

Step 4: Enable SSL Encryption

Click on the Advanced tab, and make sure that "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)" under "Outgoing mail" is checked. Press the OK button and you are all set to use the govital authenticated SMTP relay for outgoing mail from a non-govital Internet connection.