# Configuring SMTP with Authentication for Notifications

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) with authentication makes sure only authorized users and applications can send email through the mail server. Without authentication, anyone could try to send messages through the server, creating security and reliability risks.

To configure notifications with SMTP authentication:

1. Set Require Authentication to On for the SMTP server.

   The screenshot above is an example of general server settings for enabling notifications with SMTP authentication. Configuration may vary depending on the SMTP server.

2. Enter the SMTP server IP address or hostname in the Hostname (SMTP/IMAP) field.

3. Make sure the IT administrator enables TLS/SSL on the mail server and selects the correct secure mode.

   Use STARTTLS when connecting through port 587. Use SslOnConnect when connecting through port 465.

4. Have the IT administrator create and assign a dedicated mailbox account for the application to use for authentication.

5. Use an app-specific password for the dedicated account instead of a personal email password to improve security and manageability.

6. After SMTP authentication is set up correctly, configure the notification parameters under Settings > Administration.

   1. Enter the SMTP server address and port in Email server.

   2. Turn on SSL if required by the server using the Enable SSL checkbox.

   3. Enter the username and password for the SMTP account.

   4. Enter the sender email address. Make sure this matches the authenticated user.

   5. Enter the URL of ToolsNet instance.

   6. Click Test settings to verify the configuration.

Notification Service in ToolsNet 8 Administration tab

Values in the screenshot above are examples from a test environment and must be updated to match the user's configuration.