SSL, Webmail, and IMAP
What is SSL?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL works by using a public key to encrypt data that's transferred over the SSL connection. Popular clients such as Netscape Navigator and Internet explorer support SSL. By convention, URLs that require an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:
SSL and the FNAL IMAPServers
The FNAL IMAPServers are Windows NT based systems running the Netscape Messaging Server software. These systems were designed for and are dedicated to this service. SSL certificates have been acquired from Thawte Consulting to enable SSL support for the webmail service. All of the IMAP servers (imapserver1, imapserver2, and imapserver3) support SSL for webmail.
SSL for IMAP clients is not yet supported.
Using SSL and Webmail
This is the easy part. Change the url that you use for webmail from (assuming that you read mail on imapserver1) http://imapserver1.fnal.gov to https://imapserver1.fnal.gov. The https tells the client to talk to the SSL enabled port on the imapserver rather than the standard port. The login will look the same. The only difference that will be noticed is that the browser should display a locked icon. Look at the bottom of the browser window:
Internet Explorer
Netscape
Navigator
When
you see the highlighted lock symbol the communications between the web client and the IMAP server are SSL encrypted.
Reported problems
A few problems has been reported with certain clients. Check the FAQ / problem page before reporting any unusual behavior that you may be experiencing with your IMAP client. Problems should
be reported to the helpdesk by sending mail to helpdesk@fnal.gov or by calling extension 2345.
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