starttls

STARTTLS is a protocol command that upgrades an existing plaintext connection to an encrypted TLS or SSL connection, commonly used with email protocols like POP3 and IMAP. In the context of Windows and Outlook, configuring STARTTLS correctly is important for secure email communication. For example, POP3 on port 110 and IMAP on port 143 often require STARTTLS, while ports 995 and 993 use SSL from the start. Understanding the difference between STARTTLS and SSL is crucial when setting up auto-configuration in Outlook 2010, especially when working with servers like Dovecot. This tag covers discussions around Outlook autoconfiguration, email security, and protocol settings for Windows users.