"Google Gmail uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for my connection. Can Courier do this?

instructions contributed by RockFox of the Courier Beta Team

Courier does not have native SSL support at this time. You can use an SSL tunnel program such as Stunnel, which is free.

These instructions have only been tested in Windows XP Pro SP2 and only with Gmail.  Internet Explorer 7.0 is the bowser.

To install Stunnel you need to know a few basic functions of running Windows:

  • How to be an Administrator  (You must be an administrator to accomplish this install)
  • How to find a folder in which to save a file
I suggest  that you read through the entire tutorial before you begin to install.  If you are not familiar with installing software then you should view the Screen Shots indicated by   SS   after each step  Experienced users should read the notes near the bottom..
 
There are 7 simple steps to setup Stunnel (SSL) for Gmail:
  1. Install Stunnel
  2. Install Stunnel configuration file for Gmail
  3. Install Stunnel as a service so it will start on every boot
  4. Configure Courier for Gmail through Stunnel
  5. Check Courier Properties
  6. Reboot or Run Stunnel
  7. Enable POP in Gmail

1)  Click here to download and install Stunnel 4.20 from the Stunnel web site.

     a)  A window will pop-up asking  Do you want to run or save this file?  Click on Run      SS   

     
b)  You will get a Security Warning:  The publisher could not be verified.    
          Are you sure you want to run this software? 
Click on Run     SS

     
c)  A window will open with the License Agreement.  Click on I Agree     SS
     
d)  Next is the Installation Options window.  Both items will be ticked.  Click on Next     SS

     
e)  Next is the Installation Folder with the default    C:|Program Files\stunnel\     Click on Install     SS

     
f)  Next is a window that says  Setup Complete   Click on Close     SS



2)  Right click here on  Stunnel configuration file then click on Save Target As...
     into   
C:\Program Files\Stunnel\    folder
    
     a)  Click on My Computer in the   Save As   window
     b)  Double click on Local Disk (C:)     SS
     c)  Double click on Program Files     SS
     d)  Scroll right until you find stunnel
     e)  Double click on stunnel     SS
     f)  Click on Save     SS
         File already exists
     g) Click on Yes
 

3)  You will want to install Stunnel as a service so that it will start automatically when you boot.
      Click on Start => All Programs => stunnel => 
Service install

Stunnel is now installed.  Next we will configure Courier

4)  Start Courier
     a)  Click   Mailbox => Accounts => Add   to get the Courier account Wizard
     b)  Enter a name for this account, suggest Gmail
     c)  Enter your real name, anythig you wish
     d)  Enter your Gmail address,  abc123@gmail.com     SS
     e) Click Next

    
f)  Choose POP3
     g) Your User ID on Gmail,  abc123@gmail.com  for example
     h)  Incoming mail server is   127.0.0.1   (To connect to Stunnel)     SS
     i)  Click Next

     j)  Password authenitication is Normal
     k)  Enter you password and confirm      SS
     l)  Click Next

     m)  Incoming Message Action - your choice     SS
     n)  Click Next
    
     o)  Outgoing Mail Server
     p)  Name of SMTP mail server:  127.0.0.1
     q)  Select authentication method   Use POP Account     SS
    
p)  Click Next
     q)  Click Finish

5)  a)  Click  Mailbox => Accounts => Properties => Gmail
     b)  Click on Mail Server tab

     C)  Your Gmail Properties should look like this:
           Gmail properties


6)  Either reboot to start Stunnel or
     Click on Start => All Programs => stunnel =>
Run Stunnel

7)  Logon to gmail.com
     a)  Click on Settings    (on top right of window)
     b)  Click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP
     c)  Chose Enable POP for all mail   or   mail that arrives from now on
     d)  Click on Save changes

Notes:  The KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method  was used throughout the turorial  with the novice user in mind.  Hence the install goes into the default directory but you can use any directory you wish.  However, the stunnel.conf file must be in the same directory as stunnel.exe.

If you wish to save the sample stunnel.conf do it right after step 1 as step 2 replaces it with one specific to Gmail.

I used standard ports for incoming and outgoing mail so that any anti-virus program would not need to be changed..

There may be firewall issues.  I use Commodo and I had to allow Stunnel to access the Internet.  I turned Commodo off and tried the Windows firewall without difficulty.

I made no attempt to configure anti-spam program in this setup.


Contributed to the Courier beta group 17-NOV-2007
by RockFox at Slippery Rock University off PA USA
with thanks to Xeno for assistance in the original install.