jaxdomino
join:2001-12-01
Jacksonville, FL
|  [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to Xtreme
I have had FastAccess Ultra for almost a year and I have had an Exchange server running to control my own mail. I upgraded to Xtreme and the change took effect last night. Now port 25 is filtered and I have no way to get my email or send email unless I use BellSouth's poor e-mail service. I think this is wrong. The eAgent told me that the port has been filtered for months, but that's a lie since it just happened to me last night! Has anyone else seen this? |
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Cod
join:2000-07-05
Greensboro, NC
| Don't take this harshly, but you shouldn't be running a server to begin with so you really have no grounds to complain or report a problem. I know its just a mail server but its still a breach of Fast Access's TOS. You say "you think this is wrong" and you are entitled to your opinion but fact is you got caught running a server and now you can't.
Sorry... |
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heels_fan
1.20.09 The start of Socialism
Premium
join:2003-02-07
Columbia, TN
| reply to jaxdomino
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to
bellsouth has been blocking the ports for some time. It started with Dial-up customers and now is happening with DSL.
There are many post here that talks about them doing it, and they even tell us why on there website....
--
To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill. -Sun Tzu |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
 ·Comcast
| reply to jaxdomino
Port 25 has been blocked for months, to new customers. And now anyone who upgrades to the new extreme gets port 25 blocked.
I think this is a great move, helps reduce the number of virues and trojans that can send mail, as well as stop spammers.
If you want to use your own mail server, change port 25 to port 26 on your mail server and use that instead.
--
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. |
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jaxdomino
join:2001-12-01
Jacksonville, FL
| reply to Cod
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to Xtreme
Cod, I'm not complaining about them filtering the port. I'm making a statement that they should warn paying customers that if you upgrade to Xtreme they will block port 25 on your connection. That's it. Also, reponsible people such as my self who is a trained e-mail administrator, shouldn't have to suffer becuase Joe Blow thinks he can setup a mail server. |
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Cod
join:2000-07-05
Greensboro, NC
| said by jaxdomino  :
Cod, I'm not complaining about them filtering the port. I'm making a statement that they should warn paying customers that if you upgrade to Xtreme they will block port 25 on your connection. That's it. Also, reponsible people such as my self who is a trained e-mail administrator, shouldn't have to suffer becuase Joe Blow thinks he can setup a mail server.
It is plainly stated on the Fast Access website about port 25 being blocked and why so they are warning people contrary to your insinuation. Regardless if you are a trained mail administrator or not, you are clearly violating the TOS.
I'm not trying to be a jerk but you are probing about something you ought not to be doing in the first place and acting as if BellSouth is at fault for blocking port 25. I'm glad they did it! Sorry you are having to "suffer". |
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anon1234599
@cimedia.com
| reply to jaxdomino
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to
I too have an email program listening on port 25, on my DMZ host, for the express purpose of receiving mail for my personal domain. It's not an open relay (I test it regularly), and it's not used to send any mail, only to receive it.
I have ordered the upgrade to extreme and will wait to see what happens. During the order I had the rep get a technical person on the line and I explained the situation -- he said he showed port 25 already filtered on my account, so it should keep working the way it is now. After reading this thread I'm anxious to see what the result will be.
The funny thing is, the only reason I started doing this in the first place was due to a memorable bellsouth mail system "upgrade" during which I lost (and I do mean lost even though they said that no mail would be, just queued to catch up later) 9 hours worth of mail and ended up being unsubscribed from several mailing lists due to bounce messages.
Interesting how bellsouth defines "server." Just a program I run, listening on a port, providing no information to the public and usable only by me for receipt of information intended only for me, qualifies according to bellsouth? Windows machines just by virtue of the fact that they boot have several ports open and listening that usually contain exploitable holes.
I also find it interesting that they choose to block port 25 but ignore those zombification ports. I log a couple of thousand attempts per day to connect to the various ports used to create the bots that end up sending out the spam in the first place, and it's much harder to reasonably argue why they shouldn't be blocked instead of port 25.
"Fighting the spam problem" by blocking the port defined as the standard for sending and receiving email, but not blocking the ports used to create the spambots in the first place. Amazingly good logic there bellsouth!
I pay bellsouth to allow me to send and receive packets. I don't contribute to the spam problem. Now they're probably going to remove an ability I've had the entire time I've been a customer just because I asked for an upgrade when it became available. If it happens I'll raise a stink and I won't be the only one, but it probably won't help due to pure stupidity inside bellsouth and I'll have to go back to using only their mail services and hoping like hell they don't screw them up again.
Wow, can't wait until the next email system "upgrade" intended to "better serve YOU, our valued customers!" |
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redblkjck
Premium
join:2001-11-07
Sanford, NC
| reply to jaxdomino
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to Xtreme
You should be able to change the SMTP extensions to listen on another port or enable SSL if you are even using SMTP for remote connection. Then change the routing group to use outgoing SMTP through BS mail server. If SENDMAIL can do it, Exchange SMTP gateway should be able to be configured also.
jack |
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RXDOC
You want what?
Premium,MVM
join:2002-03-13
Palatine, IL
clubs: | reply to jaxdomino
This is not just an block for people upgrading to Extreme. It will affect all users. |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL | Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to
My port 25 is still open. |
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logic1977
Premium
join:2001-02-11
Tucker, GA
| said by Rob :
My port 25 is still open.
Right and whether its in 6 days, months or another year it'll be blocked to. |
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redblkjck
Premium
join:2001-11-07
Sanford, NC
| reply to RXDOC
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to Xtreme
said by RXDOC :
This is not just an block for people upgrading to Extreme. It will affect all users.
If it does become the standard then BellSouth may just end up losing more customers. Not that many users are running mailservers at home. But there ARE many customers that use paid hosting companies for email or need connectivity to their business email accounts. Relaying confidential business email through a BellSouth email server is not an acceptable solution. Having to wait 2 hours for your email to clear the BellSouth overloaded mailspooler is not an acceptable solution.
Stop the problems with compromised PCs relaying spam and closing down residential customers running non-certified/unprotected email servers is a better solution. If BellSouth spent less time spamming about special offers/promotions and sent emails educating users about a new virus threat or a new security patch is available would be taking a more responsible step in fixing the problems.
jack |
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logic1977
Premium
join:2001-02-11
Tucker, GA
| said by redblkjck :
Stop the problems with compromised PCs relaying spam and closing down residential customers running non-certified/unprotected email servers is a better solution. If BellSouth spent less time spamming about special offers/promotions and sent emails educating users about a new virus threat or a new security patch is available would be taking a more responsible step in fixing the problems.
jack
Are you serious? It sounds like a good idea, but its not practical on a large scale.
Its much cheaper, easier, and more beneficial to the majority of sunscribers to block port 25.
They could send emails all day educating users, but what would a decent response rate be? 10%, 15% even if it was 30% which is much higher than you'll ever really see it wouldn't be enough.
You have a valid point in why you say you need port 25 open, so the problem isn't the mass blocking of port 25, but that they need a solution for the minority of people with a valsid reason, which if you have business class service I think they do. |
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heels_fan
1.20.09 The start of Socialism
Premium
join:2003-02-07
Columbia, TN
| reply to redblkjck
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to
said by redblkjck :
said by RXDOC :
This is not just an block for people upgrading to Extreme. It will affect all users.
If BellSouth spent less time spamming about special offers/promotions and sent emails educating users about a new virus threat or a new security patch is available would be taking a more responsible step in fixing the problems.
jack
Why do you think that its Bellsouth's job to let the people know that there is a new security patch or viruses.
I for one am glad that bellsouth did this. Sure its a little hindrance, but compared to everything else, its all good.
I get far less spam in my mail, both inbox and my spamguard box, I have never received a email that had any type of virus in it, since I have had BS DSL.
Major Kudos to you Bellsouth.
Hell, they could be like Comcast and charter and leave everything wide open and leave it up to the customer to fight this stuff...
--
To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill. -Sun Tzu |
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redblkjck
Premium
join:2001-11-07
Sanford, NC
| reply to jaxdomino
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to Xtreme
Well there is an easy solution. Caught with a compromised PC being used for SPAM, disable their account. I believe it's covered in the TOS anyway. Why should everyone suffer because of the few that refuse to learn?
BellSouth provides a service, If they can send me emails about enrolling in Online Billpay, then they can send out emails protecting their investment about a security threat to their own network.
I pay for an email service, the uptime far exceeds the BellSouth email server. It has In/Out Antivirus and Spam protection, I should have the right to use it. If the spammers are starting to sue for their so called right to spam, then it should be only a matter of time before hosting companies start lawsuits for blocking the service. Fair rights to offer competitive services.
I hate SPAM as much as anyone else. If you ever spent the time to look at the origin IP of the SPAM the majority does not come from here in the US. Blocking 25 is nothing but a speed bump and is not fixing a thing.
jack
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N0NLINEAR
@bellsouth.ne
| reply to redblkjck
----------------------------------------------------
If BellSouth spent less time spamming about special offers/promotions and sent emails educating users about a new virus threat or a new security patch is available would be taking a more responsible step in fixing the problems.
jack
----------------------------------------------------
Maybe you should've opted out ... I never get them at all ... heck, I just found out about DSL Xtreme a couple of days ago. If you want spam about virus/threats/patches, go to www.mcafee.com and sign-up for it ... rest assured, they'll send you plenty .... but then again, it's their business ... just like it's BS's business to provide you a connection, not educate you how to deal with security issues. |
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redblkjck
Premium
join:2001-11-07
Sanford, NC
1 edit | N0NLINEAR
I am opted out of BellSouth emails, still get them.
I am also more in touch to security threats than the normal user. Thanks for reply though. There are many other companies that provide updates. Most of the OS co Microsoft, RedHat or any *nix system have their own alert notices. A few of the AV companies put out emails on higher than normal threats. Some of the firewall companies do the same. There is also a few open to general public on exploits like SANS and CERT. The others are not open to the public and restricted to .gov .mil or VPN.
jack |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| reply to logic1977
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to
said by logic1977 :
said by Rob :
My port 25 is still open.
Right and whether its in 6 days, months or another year it'll be blocked to.
It doesn't affect me. I use my domain email (I own the server so I run smtp on port 26). BellSouth will let me use their SMTP and DSLR has smtp on port 26 as well.
--
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. |
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redblkjck
Premium
join:2001-11-07
Sanford, NC
| reply to logic1977
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to Xtreme
said by logic1977 :
Are you serious? It sounds like a good idea, but its not practical on a large scale.
Yeah, on a large WAN it's not impossible but not easy either. Too many distant areas are running their own policies. These exploits can be detected and prevented at the gateways. It costs money and can slow down the service. BellSouth could eliminate lots of problems investing in Antivirus on their mailservers or install Antivirus gateway filters in front of the mail servers. Put my $2.97 fee to use.
jack |
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upb
Premium
join:2004-03-15
Carriere, MS
 ·AT&T Southeast
| reply to redblkjck
Re: [Services] Port 25 Blocked Since Upgrading to
Too often, ISPs drift from service mode over to what I think of as "enforcement mode." Their internal committees start to view users as (l)users who must be protected from themselves and who therefore must have someone enforce some rules of operation.
When that happens, the ISP has begun to move from viewing itself as a service provider to that of an enforcement organization. The blocking of ports such as 25 (and silently, 445) is the first sign that the ISP has started down that path, and that's why I view it with some alarm. While it's true that I can get around any block that BellSouth imposes, it is also true that the workaround often involves spending more money on external services such as those offered at »www.dyndns.org/. That is, the workaround to the ISP's port blocks translates into a greater monthly cost for maintaining the same level of utility.
On a strictly monetary basis, it may be less costly to find another ISP.
I have left two dialup providers in the past, precisely because they chose to block ports. While their mantra was always "Everyone else is doing it," that turned out to be a falsehood that only they believed. I was easily able to find another ISP which didn't block ports.
I'm currently keeping tabs on the local DSL competition so that I can bail out from BellSouth if necessary. I don't want to do it, because my year+ with them has been an excellent experience, but I will do it if their internal Net Nazis seem to be gaining the upper hand. |
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