On the components selection screen, choose Full Installation from the drop-down menu and click Next. It's better to install it in the C: drive itself. On the next screen, choose where you want to install the hMailServer application. Be sure to read through the license agreement first. On the next screen, click on the 'I accept the agreement' radio button. POP3: What's the Difference? Which One Should You Use?Īfter downloading the app, simply follow these steps to install it: To download the application, simply go to hMailServer's download page and click on the file under 'Latest Release'. However, most of them are paid.įor this tutorial, let's make use of an open-source and free email server called hMailServer. The first thing you need to get started is an email server software. Ideally, it should also have features such as a spam filter, and antivirus protection. This will act as the email server and store all your emails.Ī domain name for your private email server.Īn email server service to route your emails. These include:Ī separate computer with decent hard drive capacity.

However, before getting started, ensure that you have all the things needed to set up the server. Setting up your private email server shouldn't be a problem at all, provided you follow the steps listed below accurately. How to Set Up Your Own Secure Email Server However, in the case of a private email server, you are completely responsible for making sure that the server is secure. While your emails can no longer be snooped upon by companies, the server can still be compromised by a determined hacker.Įmail providers have dedicated teams that look for security flaws in their servers. You are completely responsible for the security of your email server. A private email server allows you to set up filters that are simply not possible when using a regular email service. This provides a peace of mind that no third-party email providers can match.

Your ISP and your employers are completely devoid of any access to your emails. You can also use one to send completely anonymous emails. The glaring advantage of having your own secure email server is privacy. This is because the server is located at your own house, on a computer you own. On the other hand, you have complete control over your emails when you use a private email server. Additionally, government entities and law enforcement agencies can ask your email provider to reveal your inbox.

While these services do provide you with a lot of convenience, they can easily scan confidential and regular emails to provide targeted ads and improve services such as Google Assistant. These email servers are usually managed by the same companies that provide you with email addresses, such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. Whenever you receive an email, it is first stored on an email server before being downloaded to your email client or browser.

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