SMTP authentication is quite confusing for most Internet users. SMTP stands for "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol" or also know as the "outgoing mail server". Most ISP's authenticate users via the POP3 protocol or the so called "incoming mail server". Once authenticated the users are then allowed to send for an amount of time emails... Once the amount of time has reached it's limit then the user needs to check his mail via the POP3 protocol again in order to authenticate his account and to be allowed to send again. A simple solution to bypass this procedure is to enable SMTP authentication, which basically is adding authentication to the outgoing mail server. Anyway...all the above may already sound confusing, but don't worry, activating SMTP authentication will not generate any problems on your computer, unless you type the wrong password.

This tutorial explains how to activate SMTP authentication in Outlook Express.

Open your Outlook Express program via the shortcut on the desktop or via the "Start" - "Programs" button.

Click on "Tools" and then click on "Accounts".

The internet account box will appear. Click on "Mail". Good, you will see your Gonuts4free email. It should be already highlighted in blue, if not then click on it and then press "Properties" on the right hand side...

Click on "Servers" on the top. Look to the bottom and switch on the box called "My server requires authentication" and then click on "Settings".

A little box will appear. Switch on the box called "Log on using" and type in your username and password. Example: If your email address is called john@gonuts4free.com then the username should be john@gonuts4free.com. The password should be the one that you used when you registered for your email account.

Press "OK" and "OK" again. "Close" the internet account box.
You are now using SMTP authentication when sending emails.

Note: Do not switch on the option called "Log on using Secure Password Authentication".