Hi, thanks for the replies. However I think you are both missing the point. I know Avast 8 can handle SSL emails but that is no use to me due to my email provider and windows live mail client having conflicting requirements

Email provider only supports STARTTLS over port 143

Windows livemail client only supports SSL over port 993.

I want to use the old Avast 7 method where I left email en-encrypted in the client and setup the encryption in the Mailshield advanced setting where I could select any type of encryption on any port (STARTTLS on port 143 in this case). This was much more flexible, but is no longer there. Now there is just the Scan SSL text box which does not allow me to specify the connection type.

As I said this is not specifically an Avast problem, but you have removed a useful feature by removing these setting.

Thanks
mike