diff --git a/.env b/.env
index 0222c5d..e541584 100644
--- a/.env
+++ b/.env
@@ -11,4 +11,8 @@ OFFLINE_SERVER_2=Test Server Beta
 
 APP_URL=https://spiel.dynastyofknights.com
 
-SESSION_SECRET=irgendein_langer_geheimer_zufallstext_123!
\ No newline at end of file
+SESSION_SECRET=irgendein_langer_geheimer_zufallstext_123!
+
+MAIL_HOST=smtp.ionos.de
+MAIL_USER=register@dynastyofknights.com
+MAIL_PASS=111168-j-62217DwmbwPK
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/utils/mailer.js b/utils/mailer.js
index 9db59ac..4ce9ba0 100644
--- a/utils/mailer.js
+++ b/utils/mailer.js
@@ -1,13 +1,26 @@
 const nodemailer = require("nodemailer");
 
 const transporter = nodemailer.createTransport({
-  host: "smtp.ionos.de",
-  port: 587,
-  secure: false,
+  host:   process.env.MAIL_HOST || "smtp.ionos.de",
+  port:   parseInt(process.env.MAIL_PORT || "587"),
+  secure: false, // false = STARTTLS auf Port 587
   auth: {
-    user: "register@dynastyofknights.com",
-    pass: "111168-j-62217DwmbwPK",
+    user: process.env.MAIL_USER,
+    pass: process.env.MAIL_PASS,
+  },
+  tls: {
+    // Verhindert Fehler bei IONOS-Zertifikaten
+    rejectUnauthorized: false,
   },
 });
 
+/* ── Verbindung beim Start prüfen ── */
+transporter.verify((error) => {
+  if (error) {
+    console.error("[Mailer] SMTP-Verbindung fehlgeschlagen:", error.message);
+  } else {
+    console.log("[Mailer] SMTP-Verbindung OK – bereit zum Senden.");
+  }
+});
+
 module.exports = transporter;