| Port Filtering? What is Port Filtering? How can I test this? |
Some of the larger ISP's whose networks are so large that controlling their users has become difficult have resorted to start filtering the mail port 25. Basically, all mail traffic on your Internet connection is monitored and any traffic that is outbound (SMTP) mail that is NOT destined to be delivered by you ISP's mail servers, is being blocked.
To test for Port Filtering (optional): Click Here To See Instructions
This is generally done when an ISP can not adequately control their spam problem, their users get infected and their PC's start sending out large amounts of mail to other people without the owner's knowledge (what Viruses and Trojans do) and getting the ISP in trouble with spam watching systems that then blacklist their network IP addresses. This helps curb that problem, but it also really hampers the innocent users, and in particular the corporate sector, who are completely innocent. In short, your freedom of choice has been removed.
Even if you are using our ASMTP Authenticated Sending, where your Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) is the same as your Incoming mail server, with Authentication turned on (IE "my server requires authentication" checked in your mail options) - you can no longer do this. You have 2 options:
- Change your sending SMTP port from 25 to 587 (easy)
- Use your ISP's SMTP Server as your outgoing mail server (harder/restrictive)
We highly recommend you change your port instead of resorting to utilizing your ISP as your outgoing mail server so that you don't lose your freedom to travel with your PC/Laptop/Handheld and so we can also continue to support you when you have mail sending issues.
Why this is unfortunate:
- Your ISP likely to be more strict on the size of E-Mail attachments you can send.
- Your ISP is likely to be far more strict on the amount of mail you can send at once (# of recipients).
- When you have a mail sending problem, you have to talk to a Level 1 Support technician, an impersonal technical support team that is notoriously frustrating on the larger ISP's, which will only confuse you further, ask you to do silly things like reboot or tell you that it must be 'us', and you need to have them do all your mail for them to be able to support you (false). Often their knowledge is limited to the scripts they read to their customers when they call in, and have no actual understanding of mail systems nor do they have access to actually SEE your fail mail attempts live as you attempt sending for quality and prompt tech support.
- We check for viruses on outbound mail to protect you from embarrassment. Your ISP likely does not.
We suggest you change to their Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server to get functional, and then let them know you are not happy with this forced limitation of choice.
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