From time to time, you may notice that an email program which previously worked suddenly starts reporting connection errors or fails to authenticate. This can be frustrating, but it is rarely a server fault. In most cases, the problem lies with outdated or unsupported software on the client side, which can no longer meet modern security requirements.
What changed on the server side
Recently, we implemented stricter mail security controls to bring our platform into compliance with PCI DSS and South Africa’s POPIA regulations. In particular:
- Plain-text authentication over port 25 has been disabled.
- Only secure protocols (TLS 1.2 and higher) are allowed for IMAP, POP3, and SMTP.
- Mail services are now aligned with industry best practice and regulatory compliance.
These changes ensure that your email accounts remain secure and compliant. They also mean that older, insecure software can no longer connect.
Why older email apps stop working
Email clients must support modern encryption standards in order to connect to secure servers. Unfortunately, older apps and operating systems do not receive updates, leaving them incompatible with today’s requirements. For example:
- Windows 10 end of support: Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 is nearing end-of-life, meaning no new security updates will be available. Outdated systems will fail to meet modern security standards.
- Outlook 2013 / 2016: These versions were released long before today’s security expectations and are no longer supported. They often fail to negotiate TLS 1.2+ correctly.
- Thunderbird as an alternative: For users on Windows 10 or higher, we strongly recommend Mozilla Thunderbird. It is free, open-source, and actively maintained with full support for modern security protocols.
Proof that the server is compliant
We have verified that our servers are fully up-to-date and compliant:
- All mail traffic requires TLS 1.2 or higher.
- Certificates are issued by Let’s Encrypt and pass verification checks.
- No insecure plain-text logins are permitted.
Independent checks confirm that connections to our servers succeed with modern clients. If your email program cannot connect, the root cause is almost certainly outdated software on your device.
What you need to do
To continue using your email securely:
- Ensure your operating system is supported and up to date (Windows 10 or higher, macOS with current updates, or a maintained Linux distribution).
- Upgrade your email client to a supported version. Thunderbird is strongly recommended where possible.
- If you are using Outlook, ensure that you are running a fully licensed and supported edition (Microsoft 365 / Outlook 2021 or later).
Summary
We cannot compromise on security by re-enabling outdated protocols. These changes protect both your data and our infrastructure. If your email app has stopped working, it is because it no longer meets today’s security requirements. The solution is to update your software or move to a supported client like Thunderbird.
