[OPLINTECH] OPLIN Email Change

[OPLIN Support Center]

Every couple of months a public library computer becomes compromised by malware and begins using the OPLIN mail server to send large amounts of spam. Usually this has no lasting effect beyond mail flow being disrupted for a few hours while we wait for deferments to clear, but those few hours are an inconvenience for everyone.

In an effort to tighten security, we are going to modify the configuration of the OPLIN mail server so that SMTP authentication is required beginning next Wednesday, June 6. (Authentication is already supported, just not required.) If you get your email through the OPLIN mail server and have set up your desktop mail client (Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, etc.) within the last year, the client probably opted to use authentication automatically, and you should not notice any change. Also, if you use the OPLIN webmail interface at http://mail.oplin.org, this change does not apply to you. This change only affects people who get their email through the OPLIN server and have been using their desktop mail client for more than a year.

If this change affects you, your mail client may request your email password, or it may simply display an error when trying to send mail. Instructions for saving your password in the client differ, depending on which client you use; we found a website -- http://www.networksolutions.com/support/how-do-i-enable-smtp-authentication -- that does a pretty good job of explaining the various procedures. (Follow their "Instructions to update your setting manually," do not use their "wizard"!) You may also want to ask for help from your local tech staff, or simply call OPLIN Support at 1-888-96-OPLIN (1-888-966-7546).

Again, this change will take effect next Wednesday morning, June 6.


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Amie McReynolds
OPLIN Support Center
Ohio Public Library Information Network
2323 W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 130
Columbus, OH  43204
Phone:  (888) 966-7546
Email:  support at oplin.org
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