Email Setup

Your Duke email client must be configured to use Secure Socket Layers (SSL), which protects your NetID password when you check your incoming mail. If your email client doesn't use SSL, someone could be able to read your unencrypted password and pose as you to access the many computing services at Duke.

OIT recommends that students use Duke WebMail, which is pre-configured to use SSL. Duke also recommends Mozilla Thunderbird and Mac OS X Mail, but be sure to configure them to use SSL. 

If you choose to use a client other than Duke WebMail and have never set it up to read email for your Duke NetID email account, follow the instructions below to secure your email.

To see the various levels of support for these clients, visit OIT Supported Software. If your email client is not listed below, it is not on OIT's list of supported software. Check the online help for the client or contact the vendor for instructions on how to enable SSL for your incoming mail.

General Configuration Information

Your must configure your email client to use Secure Socket Layers (SSL), which protects your NetID password when you check your incoming mail.

Incoming Mail Server: imap.duke.edu
Requires encryption (SSL) on port 993

Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.duke.edu
Suggested encryption (SSL) on port 25 or 465

Email setup instructions by client

* Eudora for Mac: You must have OS 9.x or above or Jaguar. Eudora 5.1.1 and above work with OS 9.x. Eudora is not capable of using SSL with OS X. Eudora 5.2 and above work with OS X 10.2 (Jaguar).

** Netscape versions 6.0 and below can use SSL with IMAP but not with POP. If you want to use POP, upgrade to a later version.

Securing your SMTP server settings

Below you will find instructions for securing your smtp server settings for various email clients. If your email client is not listed below, please contact the OIT Help Desk for instructions on securing your client.

*NOTE: If you have Norton Anti-virus or any other virus software that scans outgoing email you should disable the outgoing mail scan.

*ADDITIONAL NOTE: An alternative port for secure smtp traffic is port 465. If you experience problems with port 25 with ssl enabled, try reconfiguring the smtp port to 465 along with ssl encryption.

*ADDITIONAL NOTE: The above settings apply to users on the Duke network and most off-campus networks. While rare, some networks will not permit the use of outgoing mail servers other than their own. The Duke University Health System is one of those networks, and it's users should contact the DHTS Help Desk at 919-684-2243 if they experience problems sending mail. Click here for DUHS outgoing mail settings.