SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol; SMTP authentication is the process by which an email program or email client identifies itself to an SMTP server. This is usually done by providing a username and a password, which are used to access the SMTP server. The identity of the email client will then be verified before it can receive or send emails.
The entire SMTP setup and authentication process is not something email users need to do manually, so they are handled automatically by the email client. Once you open an email account, the SMTP server and authentication are automatically configured for you, so you won’t notice these activities.
However, if you use a third-party email client like Outlook, you may need to configure it yourself.
Why is SMTP Authentication Necessary?
Initially, SMTP didn’t require authentication; all emails were sent to recipients using open relays, which means anyone on the internet can send emails through the SMTP server. All emails are transferred regardless of the users’ identities, which causes issues like mass spam mailings, spoofing and phishing attacks.
With the recent version of SMTP that involves authentication, a protocol has been implemented where email clients need a password to log into SMTP servers. This also means only verified users can use the server, and it has significantly reduced phishing and spam emails.
How to Configure SMTP Authentication?
In most email service providers or clients, SMTP authentication is configured automatically immediately after creating a new email account. Still, if you want to set up a third-party email application, you can confirm if your SMTP authentication has been activated from your email settings. Here is an example of how to configure SMTP in MS Outlook.
- Locate your account settings.
- Go to the server settings.
- Click on outgoing email; your email provider’s SMTP server and port will be displayed.
- Click on “My outgoing (SMTP) server requires authentication,” then choose your preferred authentication option.
- Click on next and save your changes.