SMTP Username and Password Help

Replies: 0

Hi

I just moved this question here from the Fixing WordPress forum.

I am configuring my SMTP using WP Mail SMTP.

At the very end of the configuration page, it asks for a Username and Password. I understand the Username is my email, and the Password is my email password, but that seems very fishy to me.

At the bottom of the configuration page it reads:

The password is stored in plain text. We highly recommend you setup your password in your WordPress configuration file for improved security; to do this add the lines below to your wp-config.php file.

define( ‘WPMS_ON’, true );
define( ‘WPMS_SMTP_PASS’, ‘your_password’ );

Would encrypting my Password in the config.php file really safeguard my password? And how would I go about changing my config.php file from cPanel? And when I’m done, do I add it in the WP Mail SMTP plugin field or leave it blank? I ask because I am very protective of my password.

Sorry for so many questions. This is the first time setting up a website. I do not know coding, HTML, SMTP or source code.

Thanks so much,
– Rick