Effective 1 February 2026, DreamIT Host will require all email connections to use TLS 1.2 or higher encryption. Insecure ports (25, 110, 143) without encryption will be disabled.
Customers using outdated email clients or operating systems that do not support TLS 1.2 will need to upgrade to continue accessing their email.
⚠️ Action Required: Review the compatibility tables below to confirm your email client supports TLS 1.2. Update your settings or upgrade your software before 1 February 2026.
Ports Being Disabled
| Port | Protocol | Status After 1 Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | SMTP (unencrypted) | Disabled |
| 110 | POP3 (unencrypted) | Disabled |
| 143 | IMAP (unencrypted) | Disabled |
Required Secure Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Username | Your full email address |
| Password | Your email account password |
| Incoming Server | mail.yourdomain.com |
| IMAP Port | 993 (SSL/TLS) |
| POP3 Port | 995 (SSL/TLS) |
| Outgoing Server | mail.yourdomain.com |
| SMTP Port | 465 (SSL/TLS) or 587 (STARTTLS) |
| Authentication | Password (SPA unchecked) |
Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name.
Email Client Compatibility
TLS 1.2 support depends on both the email client and the operating system.
Microsoft Outlook (Windows)
| Outlook Version | Windows XP/Vista | Windows 7 | Windows 8+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 or older | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 2007 | ❌ | ⚠️ Registry fix required | ✅ |
| 2010 | ❌ | ⚠️ Registry fix required | ✅ |
| 2013 | ❌ | ⚠️ Registry fix required | ✅ |
| 2016 or later | N/A | ✅ | ✅ |
Sources:
- Microsoft KB3140245: Enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 in Windows 7
- LuxSci: TLS and Email Program Compatibility
- Microsoft Learn: Preparing for TLS 1.2 in Office 365
Apple Mail (macOS)
| macOS Version | TLS 1.2 Support |
|---|---|
| 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or older | ❌ Not supported |
| 10.9 to 10.11 (Mavericks to El Capitan) | ⚠️ Partial / Known issues |
| 10.12 (Sierra) or later | ✅ Full support |
Sources:
- GreenGeeks: How to Enable TLS 1.2 in Apple Mail
- GlobalSign: TLS Protocol Compatibility
- Apple Support: Change Server Settings in Mail on Mac
iOS (iPhone and iPad)
| iOS Version | TLS 1.2 Support |
|---|---|
| iOS 4 or older | ❌ Not supported |
| iOS 5 or later | ✅ Supported |
Sources:
Android Devices
| Android Version | TLS 1.2 Support |
|---|---|
| 4.3 (Jelly Bean) or older | ❌ Not supported |
| 4.4 (KitKat) | ⚠️ App-dependent |
| 5.0 (Lollipop) or later | ✅ Full support |
Sources:
Alternative Email Clients
For users on older systems, these clients manage their own TLS libraries and support TLS 1.2 independently of the operating system:
| Client | Platforms | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Mozilla Thunderbird | Windows, macOS, Linux | thunderbird.net |
| eM Client | Windows, macOS | emclient.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't update my settings before 1 February 2026?
Your email client will no longer be able to connect to our mail servers. You will not be able to send or receive emails until you update to secure settings or upgrade your email client.
I use webmail. Do I need to do anything?
No. Webmail accessed via your browser already uses HTTPS encryption. This change only affects desktop and mobile email clients.
Can I keep using my old email client if I apply the secure settings?
If your email client supports TLS 1.2 (see compatibility tables above), yes. Simply update the port numbers and enable SSL/TLS encryption. If your client does not support TLS 1.2, you will need to upgrade or switch to an alternative client such as Thunderbird.
I'm using Outlook 2010 on Windows 7. What should I do?
You have two options:
- Apply the Microsoft registry fix (KB3140245) to enable TLS 1.2 on Windows 7. See the Microsoft source link in the Outlook compatibility section above.
- Upgrade to a newer version of Windows and/or Outlook, or switch to an alternative email client like Thunderbird.
Why are insecure ports being disabled?
Unencrypted connections transmit your username, password, and email content in plain text. This makes your data vulnerable to interception and unauthorised access. TLS 1.2 encryption protects your information in transit.
What is the difference between port 465 and port 587?
Port 465 uses implicit TLS, meaning the connection is encrypted from the start. Port 587 uses STARTTLS, where the connection starts unencrypted and then upgrades to TLS. Both are secure when properly configured. Use whichever your email client supports.
I'm a Managed Server customer with legacy systems. Can I request an exception?
Yes. Please contact our support team to discuss your specific requirements. Exceptions may be available for Managed Server customers on a case-by-case basis.
Need Help?
- Submit a support ticket via MyDreamIT
- See also: Finding Your Email Server Settings