You have just received your Akeonet credentials, and the login screen displays a simple form with no instructions on what to do next. Akeonet’s messaging works through a webmail accessible from any browser, but getting started requires knowing a few settings that the interface does not show right away. This article details the complete setup, from the initial password to server settings for an external email client.
First login to Akeonet webmail: mandatory password change
Before even reading a single message, the system imposes a step. Upon your very first login at webmail.akeonet.com, Akeonet requires an immediate change of the initial password. As long as this change is not made, the inbox remains inaccessible.
Specifically, you enter your full address ([email protected]) and the temporary password provided by your provider. The next screen asks you to create a new password. Choose a combination of at least twelve characters mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. This password will be used for both webmail and login from a third-party software.
This mechanism protects against the prolonged use of a generic password. If you consult a guide for the Akeonet mailbox, you will find this step described as a prerequisite for any further actions.
IMAP and SMTP settings to configure an external mail client
The webmail is sufficient for occasional checking. To centralize your messages in Thunderbird, Outlook, or your phone’s mail app, you need to enter the correct server settings. This is often where users get stuck.
IMAP Incoming Server
The IMAP protocol synchronizes your messages between the server and your device. Each folder, each read/unread status remains consistent across all your screens. Here are the settings to enter:
- Incoming server: imap.akeonet.com, port 993, security SSL/TLS. This encryption ensures that your credentials never travel in plain text over the network.
- Username: your full Akeonet address, not just the part before the at sign.
- Password: the one defined during the first login (not the initial temporary one).
SMTP Outgoing Server
Sending messages goes through a separate server. A common mistake is to use the same port or encryption method as for receiving.
- Outgoing server: smtp.akeonet.com, port 587, security STARTTLS. STARTTLS starts the connection in plain text and then switches to encryption, which differs from the pure SSL/TLS used for IMAP.
- Authentication: normal password, with the same full address as the username.
- If your software offers “automatic secure connection,” uncheck it and manually enforce STARTTLS on port 587. The automatic mode sometimes attempts port 25, which is often blocked by internet service providers.
These settings have been verified with Thunderbird 115. On an older client, the terminology may vary (“SSL” instead of “SSL/TLS,” “TLS” instead of “STARTTLS”), but the ports remain the same.
Resolving sending errors on an Akeonet mailbox
You receive your messages without issue, but sending fails systematically. This scenario frequently appears in support forums. Several causes explain this blockage, and they should be checked in a specific order.
The first avenue concerns the SMTP port. If your client uses port 465 instead of 587, sending may be refused. Port 465 corresponds to an old standard (SMTPS) that Akeonet does not always support in the same way. Switch to port 587 with STARTTLS before any other manipulation.
The second avenue involves authentication. Some software disables authentication on the outgoing server by default. In Thunderbird, open the account settings, section “Outgoing Server,” and ensure that the method is set to “Normal password.” Without this authentication, the SMTP server refuses to send to prevent spam.
Third avenue: your internet service provider blocks outgoing traffic on certain ports. This often happens with consumer operators that filter port 25. Port 587 usually bypasses this filtering, but if the problem persists, test sending from another network (mobile hotspot, for example) to isolate the cause.
Managing the Akeonet webmail interface on a daily basis
Once connected, the web interface offers the classic functions of a messaging system. A few settings deserve special attention for smooth usage.
Folder management allows you to sort your messages by project or sender. Create folders directly from the webmail: they will automatically synchronize with your IMAP clients. Avoid creating too many subfolders beyond two levels, as some mobile clients do not display deep hierarchies.
The link “Manage my addresses,” accessible from the login page via the self-care space, allows you to change your password, create aliases, or check your account settings. The self-care space is separate from the webmail: it does not provide access to messages, but to the administrative settings of your address.
For security, change your password approximately every six months. If you use a password manager, store the full address, the password, and the IMAP/SMTP settings there. This will save you from searching for this information when changing devices or positions.
Akeonet messaging remains a straightforward service, without marketing frills or video conferencing integration. Its strength lies precisely in this simplicity: an email box that does what it’s supposed to do, provided it is configured correctly from the start. The few minutes spent on server settings and the initial password will spare you most of the problems encountered by users on forums.