Earthlink/Mindspring has been doing this since 1999. I remember the day it happened as I had several customers locked out. craigwhite@azapple.com wrote: >On Tue, 2003-06-17 at 14:52, Chad Horton wrote: > > >>The bright folks at Cox have struck us with another one of their >>brilliant ideas again. Apparently the Cox put a jimmy hat on port 25. >>Do you have an smtp server and also subscribe to Cox (http://www.cox.com >>and http://www.cox.net)? Well, you poor sap. You are no longer allowed >>to send email through your smtp server because Cox, in their infinite >>wisdom, has now blocked port 25. This includes both servers within your >>local network AND hosted by an external provider. >> >>There has yet to be a supporting argument providing a realistic reason >>why they started blocking port 25. (below is a poor explanation from >>cox, which you can also read at >>http://support.cox.net/custsup/email/email_info.shtml) >> >>Now, this may not be that big of a deal for some, since you can still >>route all of your email through Cox's smtp server, but just the mere >>fact that they would do something so ludicrous should tick everyone off. >> >>So what can be done about this? According to Cox, "nothing." And be >>prepared to get hung up on when you express your frustration over this >>matter and to get the rhetorical statement, "We appologize for the >>inconvenience, sir. Is there anything else we can help you with?" >> >>Now if you are desparate enough, Cox has been nice enough to offer a new >>tiered service, to be announced soon. It is not certain yet as to what >>these tiers mean for us, but be willing to bet that there will be >>provisions allowing port 25 to be opened for a hefty fee. >> >>So, if you are as displeased as I am, please express your disdain over >>this new policy with Cox directly. You can contact your local Cox >>division, or you can chat with a customer service agent at Cox Chat With >>Us Live support section. >> >>An explanation from Cox about blocking port 25: >> >>Q. Why do you require the use Cox outbound (SMTP) email servers? >>A. It reduces the number of SPAM and virus emails originating from our >>customers. Most Internet Service Providers have adopted this practice to >>reduce spam. We must take this action to ensure that a few bulk emailers >>do not get the entire Cox.net domain blacklisted from sending mail to >>other Internet Service Providers. >> >>Q. Will this hinder my ability to send email? >>A. This will not impact the vast majority of customers, but there are >>bound to be some people using third party mail servers. Any software >>configured to use an SMTP server other than smtp.region.cox.net to >>deliver email directly to a recipient's server will no longer work. An >>indication of this problem may be a message similar to this in your mail >>client: >>A time-out occurred while communicating with the server. Account: >>'otheraccount.otherisp.com', Server: 'othersmtp.otherisp.com', Protocol: >>SMTP, Port 25, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800CCC19 Customers using >>third party email services must configure their email clients to use >>smtp.region.cox.net to send outbound email. Please remember that >>operating an email or other server on a residential Cox High Speed >>Internet connection is a violation of our Acceptable Use Policy. Email >>Software Settings >> >> >> >----- >Actually a lot of service providers are doing this and in fact, >Earthlink has been doing this for quite some time now. > >If it reduces spam, it's a good thing. > >If you get a business account, you can run your own smtp server but not >on the residential service. > >You can always vote with your wallet. > >I thought that their explanation was more than adequate. > >Craig > >--------------------------------------------------- >PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings: >http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > -- Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/