Problems with Authentication and Certificates

[alexisalexis]

Hi again
I'm having problems sending mail through my dot mac account. i always get the following message:

"This message could not be delivered and will remain in your Outbox until it can be delivered.
The SMTP server "smtp.mac.com" doesn't support authentication. Please check your account settings and try again."

I've had a lot of troubles with authentication and CERTIFICATES lately. A lot of times Safari wont connect to the internet in a public place like McDonalds and it says something about an invalid certificate. Its weird though, cause if i've connected in some other place used safari and left a window open, then if i go to McDonalds it connects fine no problems. Weird huh?

If anyone knows what im on about please help. Thanks.

 

[mad jew]

Well, you've kinda got two things happening here... Some wireless hotspots (indeed, some networks) require a different set of proxies. They can usually be downloaded as a PAC file and uploaded into your Network settings in System Preferences rather easily. Maybe ask one of the burger flippers at your local French restaurant if they know of such a file. Okay, so only the fries are French, but you get the idea... Properly set up networks should automatically take you to the required site hosting the PAC file when you press Home in Safari after logging onto the hotspot.

As for the email... Well some ISPs sometimes require that you use their SMTP server. There is no workaround for this other than to ask the network admin what the settings may be. Alternatively, bypass this by using the browser-based webmail.

Both of these problems are quite common on wireless hotspots. Hopefully you'll be able to find someone there who can point you in the right direction. Good luck.

 

[alexisalexis]

Cool ill ask. Thanks mad jew

 

[mad jew]

Excellent. Sorry I couldn't be more specific with my answer. Anyway, I just thought I'd add that it's probably easier to make a new location for each PAC file you install/upload. A new location is easy to make in System preferences, under the Network pane and near where you'd upload the PAC file. It'll ensure you can then go to a different network (one with different proxy settings), and switch back to its location and its proxy settings easily and quickly.