FCC to push ISPs for zombie crackdown

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Re: FCC to push ISPs for zombie crackdown

From the article:

"But port-25 blocking has some downsides: It harms the end-to-end nature of the Internet; you'll be forced to use potentially slow and unreliable servers at your ISP; and you may not be able to run your own mail server. (Pay attention, Linux and OS X aficionados who do this.)"

Let's take these one at a time starting with end-to-end nature of the Internet. Too late to worry about this one. I can't send email directly to AOL or Roadrunner mailboxes, among others, because they filter out IP addresses that are from the ranges in the DUL. The ONLY way to send email to many mailboxes is either upgrade to a business account (and get off the DUL) or relay outgoing email through a real mail server like your ISP's.

Slow/unreliable servers: If you're not happy with your ISP's mail server you can change ISP or subscribe to another mail server provider. They already allow subscribers to route mail to them on another port besides 25 so if outbound port 25 is blocked, this avenue isn't necessarily blocked, too.

As an aside, one of the main reasons dissatisfied ISP customers don't switch providers is the hassle of changing email addresses. If you run your own mail server these handcuffs are unlocked.

Linux/OSX aficianados beware: There's no reason to beware. Linux/OSX afficianados aren't the users harming the system. Windows aficianados are the users whose computers are being recruited into the zombie corps. They should be the subscribers whose (unauthorized, even by them) mail servers should be stopped.

Blocking outbound port 25 is a good thing as it will immediately halt a large chunk of spam. Linux/OSX users who want their own mail servers can route outbound mail through their ISP SMTP server or subscribe to a SMTP service. It's a small price to pay and if you're IP is in the DUL it's necessary anyway.


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Posted by: none none   Posted on: 05/23/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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